Mncedisi to represent South Africa in Russia
After taking a gap year in 2015 to assist his father with providing for his family, he realised that he needed to have a proper education in order to provide more effectively.
HIGHVELD – Mpumalanga put their best bricklayer forward and he is taking the skill with him to Kazan, Russia, in August this year.
Mr Mncedisi Mkhaliphi (22) recently competed at Durban International Convention Centre in the National World Skills Competition, where he won the national leg of the competition.
Mr Mkhaliphi is an apprentice at Gert Sibande TVET College, Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre.
He was born in the homestead of Fernie and raised by a single father after his mother died.
“My father was very strict and he was a firm believer in education,” alluded Mr Mkhaliphi.
He is the sixth out of 10 children.
As a child, Mr Mkhaliphi dreamed of one day becoming a civil engineer, because he is very artistic.
He also believed that going into that field would allow him to be creative.
After taking a gap year in 2015 to assist his father with providing for his family, he realised that he needed to have a proper education in order to provide more effectively.
He enrolled for civil engineering at the Gert Sibande TVET College, Ermelo Campus.
His studies were funded through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Mr Mkhaliphi worked at a local retail store while completing his studies.
He then enrolled for an apprenticeship at Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre.
The apprenticeship program began in April during which he met his facilitator, Mr Sello Paille.
Mr Paille pushed Mr Mkhaliphi to enter the World Skills Competition as he was the only student in his class who was qualified to do so.
Mr Mkhaliphi grabbed the opportunity with both hands and looked forward to what the competition would expose him to, specifically travelling to other countries.
Mr Mkhaliphi is very excited about representing South Africa in the international leg of the competition.
