A young Porterviller was among those receiving top honours at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute’s graduation ceremony on Saturday 2 December.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer was on hand when 187 students graduated with various qualifications, ranging from certificates and diplomas to bachelor degrees in agriculture from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI).
At the institute in Stellenbosch, cum laude student Lu-Ann Fischer from Porterville was among the graduated. She received the National Wool Growers Association Award in Wool Production, the Western Cape Branch of the South African Veterinary Association Award for Best Student in Animal Health (Small Stock) and Best Student in Animal Health (Large Stock). It seems West Coast residences have a touch when it comes to wool as Saldanha resident Anja Kotze also received the honour of National Wool Growers Association Award at last year’s graduation.
According to Fischer, growing up in Porterville, a predominantly agricultural area, certainly influenced her occupational interests and choices. “My father works as manager of a farm,” she explained, “and I spent a lot of time going around the farm. I also have a passion for animals, particularly farm animals, and since my schooldays I’ve wanted a career working with them.”
Fischer specialises in animal science but hopes to expand her knowledge of the whole agriculture sector. She aimed to go back to Elsenburg next year and learn more about fruit, specially citrus fruit.
“I will do a second and third year in one. With so much citrus production in the region up until Clanwilliam this is my plan B if animal sciences doesn’t work out.” Along with Fischer, Minke Cloete, Tiaan Combrink, Johannes Huisamen, Sesona Mahlali, Anri Terblanche, Leandri van Niekerk and Michael Walsh were awarded the same degree in agriculture cum laude. Albertus van Zyl was awarded the Diploma in Agriculture cum laude.
“I congratulate you on behalf of the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, the Western Cape Government, the Council of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute led by Professor Danie Brink and the people of the Western Cape,” Meyer said. “You are the future of agriculture in our province. We must express our gratitude to parents for their sacrifices, encouragement, inspiration, motivation and, most of all, for never losing confidence in their children’s ability to succeed. Today’s graduation confirms it was all worth it.”
Keynote speaker Professor William Gumede urged students to develop a mindset that embraced opportunity: “Look at the world as one of abundance, opportunities and new things, and not as a world of scarcity. The abundance may not always be evident, but it is there.”
He advised students to have their “personal board of directors”.
“Have a purpose and seek out a group of people whom you can seek guidance from.”
This year EATI is also celebrating its 125th year.
Said the minister: “A skilled labour force is one of the key pillars of the Western Cape Growth for Jobs Strategy. Elsenburg has been creating opportunities in agriculture for the youth for more than 125 years. It will continue to do so for many more years to come and enable the sector to contribute to the bold target set for 2035, when our economy is growing at between 4% and 6%.”
