Girls learn about scarce skills

Chemical Industry Education and Training Authority co-ordinated visit to Sasol.

May 6, 2015

Sifiso Mathebula 2 minutes read

Sasol delegates, pupils from various schools and Mr Mduduzi Manana.

SECUNDA – Mr Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, interacted with Grade 11 and 12 girls from local schools as part of promoting the Women in Scarce Skills programme at Sasol.

This programme aims at encouraging girls to take up careers in fields previously dominated by men.

The Women in Scarce Skills Programme focuses on young girls from townships and rural areas.

Mr Manana encouraged them to choose a road that is less travelled when choosing a career path.

He said South Africa is in need of artisans and that the time for women to invade the industry has come.

“Artisans are currently a scarcity in our country.

“Stakeholders, including employers, like Sasol should join hands and play their roles to support and implement transformational imperatives.

“On the other hand, the youth must claim their position to make better use of opportunities presented to them.

“Young ladies, your future is in your hands, nurture it,” said Mr Manana.

Mr Nzama Baloyi, Sasol Mining Acting Senior Vice President, said Sasol will continue to partner with the Department of Higher Education, teachers and pupils to enhance and promote education and skills development.

“We believe that through exposure of these types of initiatives and through empowering young female learners, far reaching positive impact will be created that will be passed along generations and will ultimately benefit our communities, our country and our economy.”

Sasol women employees shared informative knowledge about and their experience in their daily work.

They motivated the girls to excel in their studies and to be equipped to face the corporate world.

Phuseletso Mhlakaza, Grade 12 pupil from Sizwakele Secondary School, said it was a great and exciting opportunity and that she was inspired by the Sasol women workers who shared their experiences.

“I will definitely make use of the information that I received.”

Mr Manana took a tour with the girls during which Sasol women engineers and technicians told them more about their work.

The Grade 11 and 12 pupils were from the following schools: KI Thwala Secondary School, Kiriyatswane Secondary School, Kusasalethu Comprehensive School, Sizwakele Secondary School and Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School.