Bishop Makofane helps young people to build a bright future
Young people get a second chance to become productive citizens.
eMBALENHLE – Bishop Piet Makofane said South Africa was in dire need of artisans.
This inspired him to train school leavers, with or without a Grade 12 certificate, as well as unemployed youth and semi-skilled labourers to be artisans.
Bishop Makofane trains them in welding, boilermaking, pipefitting and other related artisan skills at his church Umthunzi Wokuphumula during the week.
“My aim is to give this group a second chance to become productive citizens in the economy of the country.”
Bishop Makofane began training a group of young people at his house in Extension 17 in 2007 after he had retired as an artisan.
He was asked by the group to train them when they were struggling to get places at training institutions.
Bishop Makofane bought equipment and has trained more than 28 groups of between 40 and 60 people thus far.
He said many young people are not aware that they can become artisans without having to go to university.
Bishop Makofane trains young people for several months and then does follow-ups to see how they are doing.
“Some get employment with contractors and others have opened their own businesses.”
He encourages other church leaders to use their skills and talents to help unemployed people.
