KNYSNA NEWS - The Vineyard Academy and the Mayoral Agricultural Learnership programme concluded on Tuesday 21 August with an official ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by Knysna deputy mayor Elrick van Aswegen, municipal training officer Zukile Kala, programme facilitator Stephen de Vries and stakeholder partners National Skills Fund, SA Wine Industry Information & Systems.
In his address, Van Aswegen said, “As an ex-teacher it is always good to see how young people reach for their goals. This learnership is a catalyst for reaching those goals. Many young people visit my office on a regular basis seeking employment or funding for further studies. The majority are unemployed Knysna youth. If our youth does not have skills and opportunities, then this country is headed for disaster. And if we as leaders do not give them the opportunities, it means that we are failing them.”
The learnership commenced in October 2017 and focused on the Greater Knysna unemployed youth and young entrepreneurs. The objectives of the programme are critically interlinked and include youth development through access to skills and career development, supporting land reform and enterprise development programme.
Farming skills
The curriculum focused on mixed farming methods, plant produce and animal products. The qualification can enable a career path in farm management, entrepreneurial development or formation of co-ops.
According to the National Skills Fund’s Norman Sithole, their organisation rely on stakeholder partners to make the training possible and as a funding institution, the most critical outcome is that learners can be placed in the industry after completion of the training.
“We also want to enable them to create their own businesses or find other opportunities. I encourage you as learners to pursue other opportunities, go out there, do research and empower yourselves.”
Stakeholder partners and learners at the Agricultural Learnership closing ceremony on Tuesday 21 August. Photos: Supplied
One of the participants, 28-year-old Unathi Mntungo, could not contain her excitement on completing the programme.
“I would like to thank everyone involved for providing us with this opportunity. As diverse as we are we came together working towards a common goal. I encourage other learners to use this skill which can sustain us and help us financially. Lastly, thank you to our facilitators, especially Mr de Vries, for his patience, support and helping us when the odds were against us.”
28-year-old Unathi Mntungo, a participant in the programme, thanking the stakeholders for the opportunity afforded to her and others.
In closing, Van Aswegen said, “Farmers are in my opinion one of the most important groups of scientists and professionals that our country is lucky to have. Farming is hard work. But those who have a passion for what they do have the potential to literally change the world for the rest of us. An Ethiopian proverb tells us that “the best of mankind is a farmer”.
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