Education and training

Skills development programmes are expanding.

The CUT Hotel School has a new roof. Credit: CUT/Sebedisan Group

An extensive Skills Development Programme is giving young people skills and work experience in a variety of fields. The Provincial Government of the Free State spent about R120-million training 3 367 people in 2020/21 on various skills programmes.

These were supported by placements with government departments and with private businesses: 120 unemployed graduates were specifically supported by the province on stints at companies. Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are involved in the programmes which include graduate internships, learnerships, short-skills programmes and workintegrated learning methods. The province’s road-building unit will link up with TVET college graduates to provide specific work training.

A national policy of promoting training in critical trades has been adopted. Two of the three campuses of Flavius Mareka TVET College are designated Centres of Specialisation, for electrical work at Sasolburg and plumbing at Kroonstad. The Mphohadi campus of the college is also in Kroonstad.

The Free State has about 14 000 students at four Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, taught by 400 lecturers. All of the colleges have multiple sites. Maluti TVET College in Phuthaditjhaba, for example, offers classes at eight sites. Motheo TVET College operates in Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu, while Goldfields TVET College is headquartered in Welkom with some classes offered in Thabong and a satellite campus at Virginia (Meloding).

The University of the Free State has 158 researchers rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF), two A-rated scientists and five tier-one SARChi research chairs. The university has 18 international research partnerships and produces an average of 240 postgraduate research degrees every year.

A team of undergraduates from the UFS Department of Animal Sciences won the 2021 national quiz held at the 52nd congress of the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS). At the same event, Andries van der Merwe, a postgraduate student, received the SASAS Student Postgraduate Merit Award for exceptional academic achievement. Dr Sinobongo Mdyogolo, a PhD student, was presented with the SASAS Bronze Medal in respect of her PhD achievements in the research and technology transfer categories.

A group of academics from the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry has been involved in an exciting international collaboration of researchers which solved a difficult and intricate problem in science,

SECTOR INSIGHT UFS researchers are doing advanced work on protein structure prediction.

De Beers and Moqhaka Municipality “Changing Lives”

Learning new skills gives young people employment opportunities.

In efforts to contribute to local skills development, local employment and advancing the social and economic role of our host communities, De Beers Voorspoed Mine partnered with Moqhaka Local Municipality and the Department of Employment and Labour to place trainees in fields of plumbing, welding and water treatment for a 12-month work-integrated learning programme.

The programme intends to provide an opportunity for the youth of Moqhaka to acquire extra skills in plumbing, welding and water treatment. The programme will enable the trainees to develop skills with on-the-job and core training at Moqhaka Municipality. Despite the low levels of economic activity in our province, there are job opportunities in the welding industry and the need for skills is massive. The youth will be empowered to maximise their potential along with a tailored plan to provide them with a future to make a difference. As they progress through their learnership programme, we will help them discover their real capability and develop their skills as artisans.

At De Beers Group, we are driven by our purpose to Make Life Brilliant for our people, our customers and those living in the communities where we operate. We are working to define a new world where brilliance is achieved every day. It is for this reason that we placed talented individuals to participate in our Learnership Programme for the benefit of our communities.

The remarkable contribution that diamonds continue to make even after life-of-mine towards skills development in Fezile Dabi district, owes a great deal to the effectiveness of the partnerships we have forged with local governments and our empowerment partners. The framework for these principles is defined in terms of our social licence to operate. About De Beers Group De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20 000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers Group are committed to “Building Forever” by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. ■

Young people in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality are learning new skills in plumbing, welding and water treatment through a joint programme of De Beers Group and the Department of Employment and Labour.

For further information about De Beers Group, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

accurate protein structure prediction. Their results, which were reached by using machine-learning, were published in the scientific journal, Science. The findings could change the way many things are done, including in molecular replacement and managing diseases. Having insight into the dimensional structure of a protein has the potential to enable more advanced drug discovery.

The Central University of Technology (CUT) has four faculties: Engineering, Built Environment and Information and Technology, Health and Environmental Sciences, Humanities and Management Sciences. Researchers at units such as the Centre for Community, Environmental and Industrial Development tackle important regional issues. The CUT has started training programmes in artificial intelligence, 3D cloud computing and data screening.

The first phase of a major upgrade of the Hotel School of the CUT is complete. The new glass roof in the school’s courtyard was designed by Hennie Lambrechts Architects of Bloemfontein. Upgrades were also completed to the boardroom and other facilities. Future phases will see the main kitchen and training ONLINE RESOURCES

Central University of Technology: www.cut.ac.za Flavius Mareka TVET College: www.flaviusmareka.net Free State Department of Education: www.education.fs.gov.za University of the Free State: www.ufs.ac.za Credit: Unsplash

facilities upgraded and the conversion of the lounge service area as a satellite kitchen for a new solarium as café venue.

There are 11 new schools under construction in the province in all districts. The Free State has 39 farm schools but the aim is to increase this number to make it possible for children from rural areas to have a better chance of getting good education.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) handed over its 16th sponsored ICT and Science laboratory in 2020 to Akademia High School, Brandfort. The donation forms part of a five-year “Back to School” CSI initiative which has seen ATNS sponsor laboratories across the country to schools from impoverished communities. ■

Voorspoed hands over an old-age facility

The community of Ngwathe Local Municipality benefits from Building Forever strategy.

De Beers Group’s Voorspoed Mine has handed over a R5-million old-age facility, in partnership with Ngwathe Local Municipality, to Ratang Maqheku Centre for the Aged in Parys.

The project forms part of Voorspoed Mine’s

Social and Labour Plan, specifically its Community

Development Programme, which aims to uplift communities of the Free State Province and develop working partnerships to enhance and influence economic and social factors.

Through its Building Forever strategy, De Beers

Group is helping communities to access opportunities and thrive with the aim of leaving a positive and lasting legacy for mining communities to enjoy sustainable livelihoods beyond the life of its operations.

Ratang Maqheku Centre previously operated from three rented backyard rooms in Tumahole,

Parys. The Centre caters for 30 elderly people daily, and provides food, primary healthcare services and exercise, as well as access to the local library to improve their literacy and writing skills.

The new 470m² facility, which was built by local black female-owned company Tshepo ya

Rona, comprises two bedrooms, sickbay, workshop area, rest area, consultation room, three offices, dining area, kitchen with a pantry and laundry room, two ablution facilities as well as a reception and waiting area. Ratang Maqheku also received a brand-new 22-seater vehicle to transport the elderly to and from the centre.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Josephine

Pieters, De Beers Social Impact Manager, said, “We are living in unprecedented times whereby we have to create a safe haven for our senior citizens to shield them from a society that should be protecting them. We are very grateful to Ratang

Maqheku’s management team. We acknowledge their strength, commitment and perseverance – it is through their determination that this project is what it is today. Coming together and fighting against the social ills that our elders face on a daily basis and creating a refuge for them, is really commendable. As De Beers Group, we are proud to be part of creating a future that is safer, fairer and healthier for our elderly.”

Executive Mayor Councillor Joey Mochela thanked Voorspoed Mine for being a valuable stakeholder in the municipality. “We were sad to hear that Voorspoed Mine was closing down because we had built such a remarkable and strong partnership with them. However, we have been pleasantly surprised by how they have continued to support us, and this has brought hope to us and the people of Ngwathe,” said Cllr Mochela.

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Regional Manager, Kapila Kewuti, thanked Voorspoed Mine for fulfilling its Social Labour Plans during its Care and Maintenance stage. “As the regulator, it is beautiful to witness the support that De Beers continues to provide to our communities. We are proud of the work they have been able to do alongside our municipalities, community leaders and various partners in providing necessary support to the vulnerable members of our society,” said Kewuti. ■

Exec. Mayor Joey Mochela, DMRE Regional Manager, Kalipa Kewuti and the Senior Impact Manager Josephine Pieters at the launch of the Old age Day Care

Promoting and developing small business

The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry is active in the Free State.

NAFCOC’s main objective is to promote, unite and encourage the development of small business in South Africa in general and black entrepreneurs in particular, thereby drawing the majority from the peripheries of the consumption-based economy to the frontlines of production-based economic activity and decision making processes.

NAFCOC Free State responded in a special way to address the distress faced by members during lockdown. In 2020, the chapter: • Lobbied for localised provincial funding during the lockdown.

NAFCOC members applying for permits. • Campaigned for the regulation of township businesses (trading permits and adherence to bylaws). • Assisted small and informal businesses in applying for

Covid-relief funding. • Worked with government on a programme to assist people living with disability to gain access to markets and procurement opportunities. • Encouraged youth to be more involved in agriculture and try to find solutions to the lack of access to funding. • Worked with Standard Bank to assist small enterprises to open business accounts.

Vision To be the leading voice of business in South Africa.

Mission To develop and promote economic growth among existing and new businesses.

Values Empowerment, dignity, integrity, hard work and commitment. ■

Contact details

Chairperson: Tshepo Matsaba Tel: 083 485 7883 Email: matsabat@nafcocfs.org.za National website: www.nafcoc.org.za

BUSINESS CHAMBERS IN THE FREE STATE

Free State Black Business Chamber Contact: Mr Lucky Motsamai Cell: 066 204 5295 Email: info@fsbbc.co.za

Free State Youth Chamber of Business and Commerce Contact: Mr Sam Motlogeloa Cell: 081 442 8928 Email: yccifs@gmail.com

Mangaung Chamber of Commerce and Industry Contact: The President Tel: +27 51 522 1710 Email: President@bcci.co.za

Phenomenal Women Contact: Ms Thato Mokhothu Cell: 071 383 4183

Free State Provincial Government

A guide to Free State’s provincial government departments. Visit: www.freestateonline.fs.gov.za

Office of the Premier Premier: Mrs Sefora Ntombela 4th Floor, OR Tambo Building, Cnr St Andrews and Markgraaff Streets, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 405 5496 | Fax: +27 51 405 4803 Website: www.freestateonline.fs.gov.za Department of Human Settlements MEC: Ms Motshidise Agnes Koloi 7th Floor, Lebohang Building, Cnr Markgraaff and St Andrews Streets, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 405 3379 | Fax: +27 51 403 3699 Website: www.humansettlements.fs.gov.za

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC: Mr Skully Nxangisa Main Building, Gielie Joubert Street, Glen, Bloemfontein 9360 Tel: +27 51 861 8509 | Fax: +27 51 861 8452 Website: www.ard.fs.gov.za

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC: Mr Mxolisi Dukwana 7th Floor, OR Tambo House, Cnr St Andrews and Markgraaf Streets, Bloemfontein 9301 Tel: +27 51 405 5719 Website: www.cogta.fs.gov.za

Dept of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC: Mr Makalo Mohale Bojanala Building, 113 St Andrews Street, Bloemfontein 9301 Tel: +27 51 404 9600 | Fax: +27 51 400 4732 Website: www.destea.gov.za

Department of Education MEC: Mr Pule Makgoe Fidel Castro Building, 55 Miriam Makeba Street, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 404 8430 | Fax: +27 51 404 8269 Website: www.education.fs.gov.za

Department of Health MEC: Ms Montseng Ts’lu Cnr Harvey and Charlotte Maxeke Streets, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 408 1108 | Fax: +27 51 408 1950 Website: www.health.fs.gov.za Department of Police, Roads and Transport MEC: Mr Kwekwe Bulwane 4th Floor, Perm Building, 45 Charlotte Maxeke Street, Bloemfontein 9301 Tel: +27 51 409 8849 | Fax: +27 51 409 8864 Website: www.policeroadstransport.fs.gov.za

Department of Public Works and Infrastructure MEC: Ms Motshidise Agnes Koloi Office 310, OR Tambo House, Cnr Markgraaf and St Andrews Streets, Bloemfontein 9301 Tel: +27 51 405 3909 | Fax: +27 51 405 4490 Website: www.publicworks.fs.gov.za

Department of Social Development MEC: Ms Mamiki Qabathe Civilia Building, 14 Miriam Makeba Street, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 409 0555 | Fax: +27 51 409 0618 Website: www.socdev.fs.gov.za

Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC: Ms Limakatso Mahase Civilia Building, 14 Miriam Makeba Street, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 407 3520 | Fax: +27 51 407 3541 Website: www.fssacr.gov.za

Provincial Treasury MEC: Ms Gadija Brown Fidel Castro Building, 55 Miriam Makeba Street, Bloemfontein 9300 Tel: +27 51 405 4229 | Fax: +27 51 405 4152 Website: www.treasury.fs.gov.za