Local job seekers flocked to StellCare in Ida’s Valley on Thursday 3 September in hopes of getting one of the 500 job opportunities on offer.

This is the fifth year StellCare, a registered NPO and child protection organisation, is facilitating the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES).

Through the programme, unemployed locals from Stellenbosch and Eerste River receive training to ultimately work as a school or early education development support assistants, community safety members, cleaners or get placed at StellCare’s various businesses.

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Looking for employment

Bettie Nieuwoudt, StellCare director, explained that given the specifications of the PES, the locals accommodated by the programme must be from Cloetesville, Ida’s Valley and old Kayamandi.

“The need [for employment] in the community is great as we can see from all the job seekers who apply year after year. Part of the restriction of the programme is that 70% of the candidates must be first-time applicants,” she explained.

Despite the wet weather, job seekers flocked to StellCare’s office on Helshoogte Road last week hoping to get employment for the next nine months.

One such hopeful is Ncumisa Mlotywa (39) from Kayamandi. Over the years Mlotywa has held many different jobs, but she is currently unemployed.

“Honestly, my hope is that the work doesn’t end, but I know this is only temporary work. This is my first time applying through StellCare and the recruitment process has been well-managed. There are so many people sitting at home without employment, so this brings a bit of hope,” she said.

Tangible difference

Returning applicants include Susanna Adriaanse (56), Madelein Philander (41) and Zandré Michaels (25).

Michaels was previously employed as a teaching assistant at Pieter Langeveldt Primary two years ago, a period that he labelled an enriching experience. “The poverty in our community is too much,” he said.

“This opportunity to apply for work is almost like Santa coming to town… it gives us a chance to find work and earn our own money. Everyone here wants that opportunity and dignity to work for something.”

None of the applicants may receive a social grant and Nieuwoudt said some applicants prefer not to apply for grants, so that they can qualify for the PES programme.

“The programme is not enough to help every unemployed person in the community, but it is a start and makes a tangible difference in the lives of the successful applications,” she said.

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