Excitement was evident on the faces of young people who graduated from the National Youth Service programme under the Expanded Public Works Programme(EPWP) on Friday 16 February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of 108 unemployed people were trained in carpentry and community house building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nine-month project was spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the graduates came from Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Philippi, Langa, Pelican Park and Nyanga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the graduates during a handover ceremony at OR Tambo Sports Complex in Khayelitsha Sihle Zikalala, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, said the government strived to empower young people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said a country that doesn\u2019t value its children doesn\u2019t deserve the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYouth is our future. We (adults) are there to hold the baton on their behalf. Down the line, we have to pass the baton to them and let them continue to represent us in our country. We applaud you for being part of the programme. We thank you for your dedication, discipline and determination,\u201d said Zikalala. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said that it would be amiss for them not to express their gratitude to the people who educated them. He described the programme as a national programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe started this programme in April 2004. We have 20 years of doing this programme and we are doing it in all the municipalities. We are working together with the government department and non-profit organisations. And our aim is to improve it every year,\u201d he said. He said the programme gives accredited skills and qualifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt also covers life skills, medical exam tests, trade training and transport. We also provide them with a stipend. We also try to connect them with companies. Out of 108 students that are graduating today, 56 of them are already employed by various companies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zikalala said the programme is part of the \u2018Decade of Artisan\u2019 campaign which aims to produce 30 000 artisans per year by 2030 as indicated in the government\u2019s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the White Paper for Post School Education and Training (PSET). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the graduates, Siphokuhle Matholengwe from Philippi described the programme as a great initiative. She said she learned a lot during the programme. \u201cIt was a nine-month programme. I started last year in January till September. I did carpentry, glazing and tiling. It was a great experience for me,\u201d she said adding that she enjoyed carpentry the most. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Excitement was evident on the faces of young people who graduated from the National Youth Service programme under the Expanded Public Works Programme(EPWP) on Friday 16 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