“It is important that our youth gets an opportunity to personally engage with representatives from various tertiary institutions, other learning facilities and prospective employers. This will help them make the right choice for their futures.”
This is according to Ray van Rooy, Executive Mayor of the Bergrivier. He stressed the importance of showcasing the different study opportunities, bursary options and requirements needed for local learners to successfully enrol for their desired degree, diploma or higher certificate.
About 300 learners from various towns within the Bergrivier municipal area attended the annual LoTYDE open day in Piketberg on Saturday (29 July).
LoTYDE (Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Development Expo), which refers to the low tide of the ocean (quiet time) present before the high tide sets in, was established in 2015 by the office of the Executive Mayor.
It was funded by the municipality with the support of the Western Cape Education Department.
This year’s event, which catered for Grade 11 and 12 learners, was hosted at the Steynville Primary school hall in Piketberg. Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape, made a special guest appearance. He encouraged the youth to take charge of their lives and grab the opportunities provided. Learners from Piketberg High, Porterville High, Steynville High and Velddrif High were all in attendance.
Various institutions of higher learning had stalls at the event to tell learners about the various tertiary educational options.
Representatives from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Western Cape, the University of South Africa, West Coast College and the Gene Louw Traffic College were among the institutions.
Van Rooy said the event was designed to assist learners with one of the most fundamental decisions they will make to support their careers.
He said: “The reality is that there aren’t any tertiary facilities within the Bergrivier municipal area and many of these institutions are quite far away which makes it difficult for most learners to further their studies.”
It wasn’t all business on the day and Aidam-John and Lil Willy Music was on hand to entertain the learners. The singers performed their most popular songs and had everyone on their feet thanks to the high energy dance moves. Ashley Pienaar, master of ceremonies, was also on hand to entertain the crowd.
