Young chefs celebrate graduation day in Sandton
Graduation day marks a proud milestone for culinary students as they step into the industry with internationally recognised skills.
For every tertiary education student, one day stands above the rest… Graduation day. It is a moment filled with pride, joy, and a sense of personal victory.
In Sandton, 164 learners recently completed the Occupational Chef Qualification Programme (NQF level 5) under the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), and May 28 marked the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering determination.
This was not just any graduation; it was a historic milestone. These graduates are the first to emerge from CATHSSETA’s groundbreaking Chef Artisan Programme, a strategic initiative introduced in response to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Decade of the Artisan campaign.
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The programme aims to reduce youth unemployment by equipping young South Africans with internationally recognised, practical culinary skills.
The sense of achievement on the graduates’ faces was unmistakable.
For many, this qualification opens doors, not just to employment, but to a future filled with possibilities, locally and abroad.
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One such success story is that of graduate Rowaldo Lottering, who will soon be jetting off to Miami, Florida, for his first international job. “This is my first flight, my first time overseas. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity.”
CATHSSETA CEO Marks Thibela said: “Graduation is a symbol of perseverance and hope. This programme is a catalyst for economic empowerment, and our graduates are now ready to take on the world.”
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Lebogang Mpye, executive manager for learning programmes, pointed out that this was a historic moment for South Africa’s skills development agenda. She highlighted that the three-year programme was not just about training chefs; it was about producing culinary artisans, equipped with real-world experience and leadership potential.
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