“Empowering Communities Through Skills and Knowledge for Sustainable Development”
To celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, in collaboration with the Hessequa Local Municipality, Local Government SETA (LGSETA), South Cape TVET College (SCC), and the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Programme, hosted workshops aimed at empowering the youth of Hessequa. This initiative aligns with the spirit of #MandelaDay2024 #ItIsInYourHands, highlighting the importance of taking action to create a better world.
The Hessequa Mandela Day Celebration 2024 featured events designed to provide youth and the unemployed with practical tools, knowledge, and inspiration for personal and professional development. Here is a recap of the key activities and highlights of the two-day workshops:
18 July 2024: Career Day Event
The event focused on career development for Grade 9 and Grade 11 learners, aiming to assist them in making informed choices about their tertiary learning paths. Approximately 260 learners from the local schools attended.
KHETHA Presentation: The Department of Higher Education and Training presented “KHETHA: Make the Right Choice. Decide Your Future,” guiding learners on making informed career choices.
Interactive Panel Discussions: Representatives from various sectors, including business, biosphere reserves, schools, and institutions, discussed career development considering the local context. These discussions offered practical advice and inspiration, particularly for young learners.
Exhibition Walkabout: Delegates and learners explored various stalls, engaged with exhibitors, and learned about different career opportunities and educational resources available.
19 July 2024: Job Development Day
The second day of the event focused on Youth Development, with the primary objective of enhancing employability. The event saw an impressive turnout of over 210 young individuals, who engaged in activities and sessions designed to equip them with skills and knowledge to boost their employment prospects.
Expert Speaker Presentations: Provided valuable tips and practical advice to job seekers on what makes one CV better than another and why some people perform better in interviews. Human resources consulting experts also shared tips on improving CVs and interview techniques.
Employability Enhancement Activities: Various organizations, such as the Department of Employment and Labour, Skills Mecca, Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, and the National Youth Development Agency, contributed to these activities, which included:
- Work seeker database registration
- Skills Mecca unemployed learning database registration
- CV evaluation and interview simulations
- Life skills training orientation
- Career system demonstrations
- Registrations on the Department of Labor’s Job Seekers database
The Hessequa Mandela Day Celebration 2024 was a resounding success, representing the spirit of Mandela by empowering communities through education and career development. The event honoured Mandela’s legacy and provided practical tools and knowledge to help the youth of Hessequa build a sustainable future. The celebration highlighted the importance of investing in human capital for long-term community development by focusing on skills and knowledge. We would like to thank all stakeholders for participating in this initiative that empowers and equips our youth for the future.
Videos and pictures provided by: Kate-lynn Dean Weimers
