Thembisile Hani Local Municipality is situated northeast of Pretoria, with its municipal offices based in Kwaggafontein. With massive landmass and the potential for development of tourism, agricultural and mining industries, it’s important for the municipality to educate its youth and build a skilled labour force for the current service and manufacturing industries, as well as future industries that may boost the municipality’s economy. The new Executive Mayor, Cllr Lesetja Jacob Dikgale, in his inaugural speech discussed the need for a TVET college to invest in skills development of the youth to make the municipality an artisan stronghold, which will be aligned to the objective of developing a city within the municipal jurisdiction area.
The importance of education is recognised by the Leadership of this municipality, which was mirrored in the ease of the process of implementing MaxProf and EST Sourcing’s youth bursary programme at the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
The Executive Manager in the Executive Mayor ’s office, Mr Hendrick Kabine, alongside the youth development office, worked efficiently in attaining potential candidates and providing their information to EST Sourcing. EST Sourcing was able to vet the students timeously, which resulted in 4 students being awarded bursaries for their tertiary studies. One of the 4 students, Mr Samkelo Mabena, is already enrolled at Stellenbosch University studying his 3rd year in BCom Mathematical Science. This student showed tremendous potential and bravery to pursue one of the most difficult qualifications, which will upon completion thereof make his community proud.
Three new bursars were awarded their bursaries on the 15th of November at the municipal offices, in the presence of the Executive Mayor, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), parents, MaxProf and EST Sourcing. The new bursars will be registering for the 2023 academic year. Mr Sibusiso Matshika will be studying a Bachelors in Education at the University of Pretoria, Miss Zinhle Mtsweni will be studying a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering at WestCol College in Randfontein and Miss Portia Nyalungu will be studying towards a Diploma in Policing at the University of South Africa.
The ceremony was led by the MMC of Corporate Services, Cllr Eunice Malekane, as the programme director when she welcomed everyone present and thanked the attendees for honouring the invitation to such a special event. Cllr Malekane invited MaxProf, represented by Ms Andiswa Matutu (CA) SA, and EST Sourcing, represented by Mrs Renusha Ramdas, to introduce the respective companies and the bursary programme implemented at the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
For the 2023 academic year, a total of R 71,700 will be invested in the 4 students.
Mrs Ramdas presented background on the relationship with the municipality dating back to 2021 when EST Sourcing first contacted the municipality requesting assistance to gather aspiring academics’ contact information. This initial contact led to 33 students being placed at a local college, Springfield College KwaMhlanga campus for the 2022 academic year. This project amounted to a total investment of R 330,000 in the municipality. For the 2023 academic year, a total of R 71,700 will be invested in the 4 students. Mrs Ramdas voiced her appreciation of the relationship between the municipality and MaxProf. She indicated that the focus of the relationship should be that of youth development and education in future. In respect of the new bursars, she encouraged them to take this opportunity of receiving a higher education which would secure their spot within the 50% of youth that are employed and are building their careers.
Ms Matutu (CA)SA highlighted the importance of education to MaxProf, hence the bursary programme implemented through EST Sourcing. Their Corporate Social Responsibility project initially focussed on donating school supplies to children enrolled in basic education institutions that are underfunded. She elaborated on MaxProf’s aim to be agents of change, and with South Africa’s declining economy and high unemployment rate, most households worry about the attainment of education and the financing thereof, and it is therefore of great importance to MaxProf to contribute to communities by easing households of this burden. She urged the bursary recipients to grab the opportunity with both hands and to really focus on their education so that they may contribute to our economy in future. The access to education that MaxProf is providing the recipients, will have long lasting positive effects, not only on the bursars but also to their households, she added.
During the keynote address, Executive Mayor, Cllr Lesetja Jacob Dikgale expressed his pride and gratitude to MaxProf and EST Sourcing for the partne
He highlighted the importance of being a unified family to raise responsible citizens; where everyone is looking forward to the future which will result in the environment of desperation and despair to be totally removed from their reality.
I am because you are – Executive Mayor, Cllr Lesetja
He continued in saying that transferring skills which are aligned to the job market and that inspire entrepreneurial spirit in the residents of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, will in turn assist residents to be able to contribute to the economy effectively and ensure that their future is guaranteed.
Upon conclusion of the formalities, guests were invited to refreshments where they said a word of prayer expressing their gratitude for the day. They then interacted with the various stakeholders who encouraged them and acknowledged the parents of the bursary recipients.
