A National Skills Fund programme to support the Nkangala TVET College in Mpumalanga with much-needed resources has come full circle and produced a new breed of stars and graduates.
The college, which has four sites – Witbank, Siyabuswa, Waterval Boven, and Middleburg – received a R27,8 million commitment in 2017 and was useful to ensure continued teaching and learning during COVID-19 with support material, and equipment and enhance the quality of teaching.
The NSF funding also enabled the college to implement a Work Integrated Learning Graduate and Student Placement Programme that helped transform and upskills the youth and other beneficiaries through learnerships in bookkeeping, early childhood development (ECD) and plant production. Some college staff were trained as assessors and moderators.
The programme ended on a high note, with 188 ECD and 77 bookkeeping students having completed the programme.
Nombulelo Innocentia Methula, a bookkeeping graduate, says the programme was a great experience for her. She acquired knowledge to open and register a laundry company, Ayabonga Mafuze Laundry Pty Ltd.
“This opportunity will also help to empower the youth from my community and work with them,” she explains.
Refiloe Felicia Mthombeni, who also completed her ECD Level 4, received the award for the best portfolio evidence.
“I am very happy and confident that I have received this award. It means a lot because it shows that my hard work has paid off,” Refiloe says.
She says that “working with and being around children has always been something I enjoy.
“The programme made me realise I have the potential and can do good with what I have learned and achieved,” she explains.
Another 147 more people benefited from the programme through internships in business studies and IT.
The programme was completed in 2021.
Main picture: The Nkangala TVET College awards ceremony for students who participated in the NSF-funded learnerships, in Witbank on 11 November 2021
Nombulelo Innocentia Methula receives her ICB certificate
Refiloe Felicia Mthombeni receives the best portfolio evidence award
By Tlhalefo Mokgobi, NSF graduate intern (2021 – 2023)
