Duduza – The Duduza Development Skills Centre held a graduation ceremony for its beneficiaries who completed their short courses in call centre and computer training, welding and security on February 27.
JMBrothers Funeral Services and the departments of Employment, Labour and Social Development and dignitaries supported the event.
“The development centre was established in 2005 as an NPO that served the community through skills development. When it started, we only offered carpentry training, but as time progressed, we ventured into offering other Sector Education and Training Authority-accredited courses.
“Each course lasted three months. These skills help individuals access the job market with the basic and necessary skills required in the working industry,” explained centre manager Happy Tshabalala.
The stakeholders who contributed to the ceremony.
The project manager at the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria, Buntu Msengi, highlighted that skills development is popular in SA and that these short courses made the beneficiaries employable and opened them to becoming entrepreneurs.
“I believe that unemployment and poverty could be eradicated through skills development because gaining skills becomes an advantage to every individual. The beneficiaries were trained, gained skills and their lives were boosted.
“I believe many doors have the potential to open through funding. There should be funding opportunities in the township, and these funds should go towards funding small businesses and individuals who aspire to become entrepreneurs. The funding will kick-start their business ventures,” added Msengi.
Msengi said many graduates are unemployed simply because their skills do not align with market requirements.
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“But, when they are trained with the skills required by the market and with adequate funding, they will get the jobs they trained for,” he mentioned.
One of the dignitaries, Tony Gumede, advised the beneficiaries to challenge themselves and use their qualifications to open doors for themselves.
He shared Duduza’s history and stressed that there are many opportunities at his disposal for the youth to take advantage of.
“One of the richest things about Duduza is that we have a history not amplified enough to be understood by young people growing up.
“Looking at how poor we are makes it seem as if we do not have resources. Our township is highly resourced, but we lack people who will amplify the richness we have,” said Gumede.
He urged the graduates to use their qualifications to open businesses, learn by building relationships with well-informed individuals, take pride in being from Duduza and participate in community development programmes.
Computer graduate Siphelele Mdletshe encouraged her fellow graduates to persevere and continue working hard to achieve great things. She thanked her parents for supporting her throughout her journey and the institution for the support and encouragement.
“Through all the hardships, we got guidance from those closest to us. We gained the necessary skills and knowledge from the development centre. Fellow graduates, I am pleased to share this platform with you. May we prosper and conquer the world together. We are beyond grateful to have been chosen to form part of this programme,” she said.
Call centre graduate Simphiwe Nkosi said, “The journey was not easy, yet we got through it. We are grateful for the love and support received from our loved ones. The support kept us motivated and hopeful,” she said.
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