Bambisandla-Sam continues to uplift KwaNgcolosi community

THE Bambisandla-Sam Centre of Excellence hosted a special event on May 27 in Hillcrest, KwaNgcolosi to present its annual progress report and showcase the achievements of the academy to the Chief of KwaNgcolosi.

The centre was established with the aim of equipping young people from the KwaNgcolosi community with technical and practical skills that can improve their chances of employment and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to uplift and empower the community through advanced skills development and training opportunities.

Since its establishment, the academy has introduced accredited skills programmes that have benefited more than 177 learners. The centre continues to play a significant role in creating opportunities for unemployed youth and helping them build sustainable futures.

One of the former students, Nonzuzo Mtolo, shared how the programme positively changed her life.

“I applied for a Housekeeping course online, but I received an offer for the Venture Creation course instead. I’m excited about this, as I’m interested in starting my own business. I’ve already managed to start the business I wanted, which involves personalising items like trays and phinifas. I also sell perfumes,” said Mtolo.

The CEO of Bambisandla-Sam Centre of Excellence, Veronica Thokozani Wanda, presented the various courses and programme offered at the centre. These include Hospitality Receptionist, Cook Fast Food, Assistant Chef, Laundry Assistant, Assistant Housekeeping, and Venture Creation.

Wanda also highlighted that students enrolled in the programmes now receive stipends, describing it as a major milestone since the launch of the academy.

“This day gave us an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved over the past 12 months. Despite the short period of time, we managed to accomplish many things and ensure that the Bambisandla-Sam Centre of Excellence becomes known to the public.

“However, we are currently limited by space, which affects our ability to introduce new programmes. Our vision is to expand the centre by building more classrooms, including a computer laboratory, so that we can also introduce learners to technology and digital skills,” said Wanda.

The event not only celebrated the achievements of the Bambisandla-Sam Centre of Excellence, but also highlighted its growing impact on the youth and broader KwaNgcolosi community. Through skills development, entrepreneurship programmes, and empowerment initiatives, the academy continues to create opportunities and inspire hope among young people. With plans to expand its facilities and introduce technology-focused learning, the centre remains committed to building a brighter and more sustainable future for the community.

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