MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza calls on young people to follow their dreams to better their lives

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, made a passionate plea to young people not to try to find shortcuts, but rather work hard to get where they want to be in life.

Speaking in EThekwini Metro today at the graduation ceremony of a group of learners who have completed their Occupational Qualifications, under the Department of Social Development and Services SETA today, MEC Khoza stressed that young people had all opportunities to change their lives.

She said government has made a commitment to uplift the lives of young people.

"We want the youth to fully participate in the transformation of their lives. Importantly, we want our young people to play a role in the economy of this country. We are pleased to see our initiative yielding success. Handing over the certificates, she said the phase marked the opening of another chapter in their lives," she said.

MEC Khoza said the Department mandate was to ensure that, among others, young people should be saved from self-destructive behaviour, like substance abuse.

"Our young people are facing a number of challenges on a daily basis, which are substance abuse, teenage pregnancy as well as a lack of desire to further their studies. Through this Services SETA qualification programme, we aim to fight unemployment in the province," she said.

“As the Department of Social Development, we were more in tune with where you come from. We are committed to continue making our youth more innovative and productive in their careers to change their lives and that of their families," she said.

About 463 learners who were found to be competent under the Service SETA Learnership Project received their certificates. These young people were approved by Services SETA in Hair Care and Beauty (NQF4), Cleaning and Hygiene (NQF1), Administration and Management (NQF4)

These people have completed 12-months learning programmes, which combine theoretical and practical workplace experiential learning, which leads to an occupationally-related qualification registered on the National Qualification Framework (NQF).

Government was committed to ensuring that young people were equipped with skills to enable them to be employable, said MEC Khoza.

"These certificates should be regarded as keyd to open doors for you. We started this programme in 2016 and we will continue with it because it's instrumental in bettering the lives of our people."

The department committed itself to finding opportunities for these graduates, including helping them start cooperatives.

Through this partnership, the Department has made a massive impact on the lives of many young people of this province by increasing their employability prospects.

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