Kezla Investment from Benoni, in partnership with Huhtamaki from Springs, held their graduation ceremony at the Springs Civic Centre on November 22.

The ceremony was for the graduates of the End User Computing Skills programme, a three-month and one-year course.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser at the ceremony, two graduates expressed how the skills would benefit them in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.

Neo Lesia from Kwa-Thema was one of the graduates. According to her, the programme came at the perfect time. She was not at school, so she had something to work towards.

Her love of ICT was the reason she joined the programme. She said the skills had helped her, as she is studying ICT at the University of Johannesburg, and that the programme’s skills are the foundation of the university course.

“When I was doing my practical at a hospital, I realised that this is what I am passionate about and saw where I could use my skills in the ICT industry,” she said.

She said the course intimidated her because it is known as difficult, so she had challenges understanding, but over time, through studying, she overcame that fear.

Sibusiso Nkosana from Etwatwa, part of the three-month programme, told the publication that he was excited because he saw it as an opportunity to gain ICT skills.

He said his facilitator, Sakhile Sikhosana, advised them to further their studies through various courses and that there were many growth opportunities, as he had learnt how to develop an app.

“With the certificate I have, I know I can knock on doors in the ICT space, whether through studying or working,” said Nkosana.

Nkosana thanked his classmates and Sikhosana for the support that allowed him to grow and continue the programme.

Kezla Investments’ founder, Mmela Sikhosana, said the programme aimed to grow the ICT industry by investing more in young black people.

“With an ITC background, I realised there was a lack of young people in the industry. That concerned me because many people in our communities need an opportunity. That is why I started these programmes,” said Sikhosana.

She also said that her hopes for the graduates are for them to find employment in the programmes offered in the CoE, as many are from communities within the metro.

Sikhosana said the graduates demonstrated an act of kindness among them, which showed that with all the academic skills they had gained, they also learnt to work together.

She also thanked Huhtamaki for funding some of the learners, and said their partnership is aimed at growth and bettering the future.

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