SEVERAL young people in the KwaNzimakwe community have been awarded certificates of graduation for the various training programmes they undertook through Sanral and its contractor Smart Civils and PT Systems. The initiative forms part of the upgrades to the Umtamvuna (CH Mitchell) Bridge which connects KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The programmes were part of the community development focus for the bridge upgrades project in KwaNzimakwe, which is on the border of the two provinces. Funded by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), the training was done through third-party suppliers. Twenty-six youth were trained for the security programme through Mzansi Security & Training, 10 for basic computer studies through Asabed IT Solution, while 15 undertook the learners and drivers licence training which was done through Mfana Omuhle Trading.
Speaking at the event, Smart Civils and PT Systems’ Ayanda Jula, who is the project engineer for the upgrades project, said: “There is always light at the end of the tunnel. I started with my current employer as a student trainee and was later absorbed permanently. I encourage you to keep upskilling yourselves and grabbing opportunities granted to you. This is not only to the unemployed youth but the local businesses as well.”
“In line with Sanral’s 14-point plan, which places transformation at the centre of the organisation, we recognised the need to launch a programme that would directly benefit the youth to transform their futures. Our goal with these programmes was to uplift the community. Without the project liaison committee’s assistance in advising and informing the youth about this opportunity, it would not have been possible,” said Siphesihle Mthembu, Sanral junior project engineer.
Project liaison committee (PLC) member, Sbonelo Shusha, reiterated the importance of grabbing opportunities and spoke at length about fighting for one’s future. “It is better to always be ready for opportunities than to expect to improve once the opportunities are available. Among you are graduates from top universities, but due to unemployment, you are here. Thank you for not looking down on the little that is being offered. Thank you for grabbing this opportunity because you don’t know if this is your key to opening the right door to kickstart your career,” he said.
The top-performing student in the computer training programme, Asanda Nzimakwe, said she works hard in everything she does.
“I make sure I do not waste opportunities because I want a better future. I want to get proper employment to enable me to take care of my family. That is why I work hard,” she said.
Sanral is proud of these graduates and wishes them all the best for the future.
