Government has taken its campaign to introduce rural communities to vocational training initiatives offered by the Communications and Digital Technologies Department to Mopani and Waterberg municipalities.
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams embarked on a two-day visit to the area last week.
Hosi (chief) N’wamitwa II welcomed the Minister and gave her a Xitsonga name, Mphephu. She was also gifted with a Xitsonga traditional outfit. The Chief dorned an IsiXhosa regalia in honour of the Minister’s culture.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams’ first stop was at the Valoyi Royal Palace, N’wamitwa to greet the Chief. They then proceeded to Xitsavi Educational Centre.
The facility was established by Hosi N’wamitwa II under the Valoyi Trust to empower poor young people of Tzaneen. They receive fit-for-life, fit-for-work short-term courses. The Minister donated 20 laptops to replace the outdated computers, which were used at the centre’s computer library. Only four of the old computers were working and were not in good shape either.
Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional affairs MEC Basikopo Makamu, Mopani District Mayor Pule Shai, Greater Tzaneen Municipality Mayor Maripe Mangena, accompanied the Minister. Traditional House Council chairperson Malesela Dikgale leading the Mopani Chiefs such Chief Majeje, Acting Chief Muhlava, Chief Mahumane, Chief Hlaniki, Chief Xilungwa II, Chief Ngove and Professor Nkondo of Rixaka Heritage forum also attended the event.
“Only the Minister can gather as many Chiefs in one place as today, it is rare; where there is no vision there is no future,” MEC Mokone quipped.
The main event was held at Karibu Leisure resort, Tzaneen, with the department’s entity stalls on sight to offer free advice, education and promotional items.
Sevengwana High School, Xihoko Circuit, and Hudson Ntsan’wisi Senior Secondary School, from the Nkowankowa Circuit, were invited to the occasion. They each had to bring five Computer Application Technology (CAT) learners.
“This is important, it exposes our kids to technology,” said Xihoko Circuit manager, Magwaza Ngomana.
Hudson Ntsan’wisi Senior Secondary School Principal PP Rikhotso added: ” This shows our government cares, but our computers are outdated and were installed in 2009.”
Sevengwana High School Principal Oneck Khosa was concerned about poor communication. “No one really briefed us on why we are here, but this will help our kids.”
Thirty three students from Vhembe and Capricorn District, who had undergone a smart phone three-week repair training in
Thohoyandou and Polokwane, received their certificates, tool kits and testers.
Ndabeni-Abrahams’ last stop was Thabazimbi, where she was accompanied by the Minister of Small Businesses Development Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. The Communications Minister handed over a Cyber Lab to Waterberg TVET College.
“Today is the day language and colour meets technology; there is more that the SABC is doing to uplift the Xitsonga Language both on radio and TV, soon Giyani the land of blood will be back on our small screens,” she said.
Adding that: “This initiative means a lot to us and we are excited, the initiative will spread all over our municipalities for our kids to benefit.”
Ndabeni-Abrahams emphasised the need for the promotion of indigenous languages to preserve the identity of future generations.