The Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Development Expo (LoTYDE) was a success drawing a large crowd of Grade 11 and 12 learners from various schools in the Bergrivier municipal area.
According to Ray van Rooy, Mayor of Bergrivier, the municipality is committed to developing and nurturing future leaders.
Hosted at Steynville Primary School in Piketberg last month, the expo enabled learners to access important information such as bursary opportunities, scholarships, and courses at tertiary level from various institutions.
Van Rooy said LoTYDE introduced youth to various tertiary institutions and prospective employers, broadening their knowledge and enabling them to make well-informed career choices. “We want to encourage our learners to further their education as it holds they key to leading a successful life,” he declared.
The Mayor highlighted the importance of exposing learners to diverse study opportunities, bursary options, and the specific requirements needed to pursue their desired degree, diploma, or higher certificate at the institution of their choice.
The LoTYDE event was established in 2015 through the support of the Department of Education, and has been driven by the Office of the Executive Mayor, growing each year and expanding its reach and impact.
Learners had the opportunity to engage with representatives from various institutions, such as West Coast College, Mfesane, Department of Correctional Services, Stellenbosch University, Nedbank, FNB, IEC and more. These institutions showcased their programmes, courses and bursary offerings.
“The reality is that there are no tertiary facilities within the Bergrivier municipal area,” explained Van Rooy, “and some learners lack access to the internet or a computer to conduct proper research. This often results in unsuccessfully submitting applications.
The day was entertaining and exciting. The crowd was thrilled by performances from Nielo Music SA or better known as Nielo and Derek, who captivated the audience with their music including their popular song “Maak die Hekke Oop”.
Veteran showman Ashley Pienaar was the master of ceremonies, who made sure to keep the crowd engaged with his interactive stage delivery and unique comedic style.
Several learners were lucky winners of exciting prizes, including electronic devices such as tablets, wireless earphones, speakers and laptops, through various lucky draws. Every learner also received a LoTYDE goodie bag containing a buff, snacks, a cellphone stand and cellphone pouch to further support their educational journey. This is in line with the municipality’s drive towards a smart city environment.
