“Our areas of origin will never be the same as we are aiming to deal with all social ills, kick start developmental projects and change living conditions of our people.” These are the words of twenty (20) young people who were awarded National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 certificates in Community Development Practices during their graduation ceremony held yesterday at Rustenburg, which coincided with Youth Month celebrations.
Their graduation which took place at Ben Marais Hall follows twelve (12) months learnership programme which they underwent as part of the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs efforts to empower youth through skills development to increase their chances of employment.
The learnership programme which kick-started in Bojanala Platinum District with a 100% competency, is part of the Department’s Community Development training plan for financial years 2012-2015 in an endeavour to advance the fundamentals of quality service delivery in the communities and capacitate our foot soldiers on the flow of services at community level.
One of the graduates twenty-nine (29) year old Vincent Chikuni from Oukasie Township near Brits said he intends initiating developmental projects such as setting up an advisory centre with a view of bringing services closer to the people and to cut short their trip to Brits town. “With the advisory centre I can teach people about the effects of global warming, deal with social issues such as HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism and for people to access other social services with ease.”
Twenty-two (22) year old Refiloe Molale from Sondela informal Settlement near Rustenburg was also part of those who graduated. “With the social practice skill I acquired my dream is to see all those living in shacks, with lack of basic services such water, sanitation, waste removal, and travelling distances to access schools and other public places, living in better conditions in a proper shelter, with water, sanitation and being able to access all important services in their area,” she said.
Acting North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Paul Sebegoe said ,“the graduation is a significant milestone in your lives and in the department. Through the skills acquired you must assist citizens to access services such as health, welfare, housing, economic activities, education and training, and employment opportunities.
You will act as combatants in the battle field and I regard you as the new force of energy to become a true representative in public service to assist with the high rate of unemployment, high inequality and high level of poverty.”
With you as the ambassadors of our messages and services we provide, community dissatisfaction and constant protests will be a thing of the past as you will be deepening our democracy by constantly being in touch with residents on the ground,” MEC Sebegoe said.
The qualification provided graduates with an easy access to learning theoretically and practically, as well as an increased employment opportunities and assist in career-pathing and self-development.
The same learnership is due to start in Dr Kenneth Kaunda next week and it will be rolled out in the two remaining districts, i.e. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema in the next financial year.
