Ugu resident (59) benefits from driving programme

A 59-year-old beneficiary of the Thuthuka Driving Skills Programme of the KZN Department of Transport is grateful that the programme was not only limited to individuals below the age of 35.

Sphiwo Majikija from KwaMachi in Umuziwabantu Local Municipality was among the 4 000 unemployed beneficiaries who will receive free learner’s and driver’s licences from Code 08 to Code 14 through the support of the Department of Transport.

The beneficiaries were invited to a launch in Durban last week.

Majika said he thanked the Premier of KZN, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and the KZN MEC for Transport, Sipho Hlomuka, for not limiting the programme to those aged 35 and younger.

Launching the programme in 2023, Hlomuka said the department wanted unemployed citizens in the province to apply for a programme designed to assist them get driver’s licences to increase their chances of getting a job.

“This is part of our ongoing contribution to job creation because we know that when people have licences, they stand a better chance of being employed across all sectors. We have already begun to engage with the driving schools’ executives to bring them on board and work with them in rolling out this programme,” said Hlomuka.
He said the beneficiaries were selected from all districts in the province and will be supported financially by the provincial government to get learner’s and driver’s licences.

Premier Dube-Ncube told the beneficiaries that if they failed to pass their learner’s and driver’s licences, the government’s efforts would be in vain.

“If it were up to me, I would say those who fail must pay back the money that was used to assist them. I hope you all give this your all and make sure that you pass.

The programme is part of supporting and skilling the unemployed to prepare them for the job market and forms part of the government’s broader campaign of S’thesha Waya Waya,” said Dube-Ncube.

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