GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is in the advanced stages of planning an exciting project for the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality, which will see wonderful opportunities opening up for those wishing to further their studies.
The university is hoping to open a satellite campus in the municipality, which will be known as the Dr Beyers Naude Training Academy. Project Director Lungile Mxube, from the university, has visited towns across the municipality to explain the concept, which is particularly aimed at bringing hope to the unemployed youth.
Well over 100 people attended the meeting at the Aberdeen Library Hall on Tuesday, January 23, and the Graaff-Reinet Town Hall was packed to capacity that afternoon.
The meetings started with information from Peter Horn and Shamadie Mlumbi from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).
Horn spoke well, engaging the audience, and after explaining about the background of the agency, he discussed the five areas where the youth (defined as those from the ages of 14 to 35) can be helped by them.
The agency can help find employment, acting as a recruitment agency and providing information on learnerships, bursaries and scholarships.
Another function is to help budding entrepreneurs with information on costing and marketing, as well as funding.
He stressed the importance of education, encouraging those present to obtain a matric certificate.
The agency is also involved with health and well-being, particularly concerned about substance abuse, and helps the youth to become responsible citizens.
There was a great deal of interest in the work of the agency.
At this stage, the nearest NYDA office is in Port Elizabeth, and there were many requests from the floor for there to be a local office.
Lungile Mxube then made his presentation about the NMU proposal. Mentioning some of the perceived shortcomings of the current TVET colleges, he told those present about the courses that will be offered by the Training Academy.
What was of great interest to those present was the promise that the lectures would be held at venues in each town in the municipality, and students would not have to travel to Graaff-Reinet, for example, to attend classes.
A question being raised by a member of the community.
The different towns would only come together for functions such as graduation ceremonies, and these would rotate to the different venues.
This was seen as very positive, as many people complained that Aberdeen is always seen as the “poor relation”, and they always have to travel to Graaff-Reinet for opportunities.
The courses that will be offered, most of which are National Certificates, include such diverse subjects as Home Care practices and Project Management.
Most of the courses would be offered at two or three levels, depending on the current experience and qualifications of the student.
A great deal of detail was given on the course content, and Mxube offered clear and firm answers to the many questions.
The project was due to discussed at a Special Council Meeting on Thursday, January 25, and if it is given the go-ahead, it is hoped that courses will get underway in February.
Those present were asked to indicate on registers their areas of interest, so that some of the logistics can be started.
More detailed information will be available in next week’s Advertiser, should the project be approved.
All in all, a very exciting vision for the future of the youth of Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality!
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