SASI programme set to uplift youth and vulnerable groups in Sekhukhune
Groblersdal – The Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM), Cllr Minah Bahula, has commended the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), jointly with the South African Advanced Skills Institute (SASI), for their support in the introduction of a skills training initiative, aimed at upgrading and promoting the socio-economic situation of vulnerable groups in society, particularly the youth, women and people living with disabilities in the district municipality.
The initiative, Graduate Work Skill Learning, is designed to uplift the living conditions of the most vulnerable in society. The two-year programme is set to benefit over 70 graduates in Sekhukhune from different fields of training, with an aim to improve and offer sustainability among the unemployed youth to mitigate the alarming statistics of unemployment in South Africa.
The graduates come from various academic fields such as the agricultural value chain, engineering, finance and accounting, human resources, tourism and hospitality, business administration, artificial intelligence technology and communications, as well as town planning, among others.
In its completion, the initiative will provide the beneficiaries with relevant work opportunities and improves their lives. The unemployed graduates will acquire the necessary working skills and competencies, making them more employable in the future.
The programme is funded through the SASI organisation with further support from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Executive Mayor Bahula hailed the initiative, stating: “We commend this fundamental initiative aimed at providing our graduates from different fields with opportunities, which will, in turn, enable them to fully participate in the mainstream economy.”
Bahula urged the new interns to grasp this valuable opportunity provided by the government with both hands and change their situation at home.
“Many would have loved to be part of this opportunity. You are the chosen few, so be humble and kind, work hard with the utmost discipline and never look back,” she said.
Bahula said this diversity reflects the programme’s broad scope and commitment to addressing various sectors within the economy.
SALGA Limpopo’s Provincial Director of Operations, Ledile Sebati, appreciated the gesture and support the organisation received from the district municipality.
She furthered outlined the benefits of the programme, saying: “In addition to providing practical work experience, the programme includes mentorship and professional development workshops to further enhance the employability of the participants. The aim is to equip you not only with technical skills but also with soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are critical in the modern workplace.”
