Rural youth empowered with career choices

ABOUT 3000 pupils from schools around uMfolozi Municipality were gathered at Dondotha Sport Ground on Friday to attend a careers expo hosted by the KZN Arts and Culture MEC, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi.

In planning, former Orlando Pirates defender Siyabonga ‘Nsimbi’ Sangweni together with uMfolozi Municipality decided to use the annual Siyabonga Sangweni Tournament and host the expo on the first day of the sport event.

The programme formed part of youth month activities and was in sync with the department’s mandate of nation building and social cohesion.

The youth development initiative was aimed at promoting diverse career opportunities, especially scarce skills.

It also highlighted the provincial and local government’s efforts to fight poverty and social ills facing the country, using access to information and extramural activities.

The programme was held in line with the 14 National Outcomes, especially promoting quality education and building a skilled as well as a workforce capable of supporting the country’s economic growth.

Numerous parastatals, government departments and companies exhibited at the expo.

Motivational speakers were also roped in and, to encourage encourage young people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a soccer and netball tournament was held.

Accompanying the MEC were the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Human Settlements Nomacawe Mafu, uThungulu Deputy Mayor Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi, uMfolozi Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge and Human Settlements Director General M Tshangana as well as other dignitaries.

‘We will continue to host numerous programmes such as these to empower our youth. The growth and strength of our nation is within young people, that is why we have programmes primarily focused on them. I have committed myself to uplifting our youth and those in the rural areas will receive priority through all our programmes,’ said Sithole-Moloi.