Cooperation between Technical and Business Education Initiative in South Africa (Tabeisa and Tsolo Agricultural and Rural Development Institute (Tardi), received a boost recently when the two institutions put forward ideas to extend their cooperative agreement from one year to five years.
These two academic institutions began their working relations in November 2008.
Two lecturers from University College of Birmingham in the United Kingdom were recently welcomed at Tardi. Also recently welcomed were two designers who graduated from London University. The two were sponsored by Tabeisa to study home industry courses such as chutney making, jam making and also clothing design.
Recently international experts in the areas of chutney, jam and clothing designers were welcomed in the institution to conduct training and the occasion was graced by the skills development facilitator from Nyandeni local municipality. This training was conducted in conjunction with Tardi and Mpofu College technical staff, championed by Tabeisa United Kingdom experts.
The purpose of jam production is to add value on the utilisation of the locally produced fruit and vegetables. The only available ingredients and equipment within the home industry section, has managed to produce pineapple jam, banana and pear, tomato and ginger and also Eastern Cape orange jam as well as chutney tomato chutney.
The Tardi, in collaboration with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, conducts quality tests and nutritional analysis which are important for determining product quality and label. Tabeisa, in conjunction with Tardi and Mpofu technical staff, have trained 15 members from Sokhula sewing project and four members from Masizakhe sewing projects.
Two designers from Tabeisa (UK) have come to join hands with Tardi. The purpose of the visit is to assist two pilot projects, namely Sokhula sewing project from Ngqeleni under Nyandeni local municipality and Masizakhe sewing project from Tsolo.
All the home ware products prepared items by the two groups were exported to United Kingdom. A partnership extension from one year to a five year period of cooperative relations between Tardi and Tabeisa is under discussion. Tabeisa is also training two local groups from Nyandeni and Mhlontlo local municipalities in business skills to improve their business skills. They were also trained in communication, planning, and creative thinking. Certificates of attendance will be awarded to members who have completed training at Tardi.
Media is also invited to witness the graduation ceremony.
Event details:
Date: 23 October 2009
Venue: Tsolo Agricultural College
Time: 09h00
For further inquiries contact:
Yvonne Matsheketwa
Tel: 040 609 3486
Cell: 076 868 7257
E-mail: yvonne.matsheketwa@agr.ecprov.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
21 October 2009
