By Nozipho Dlamini
Johannesburg - Government funded skills development centre in Ennerdale is giving young people a second chance to turn their lives around through different skills training and job placements.
The Making a Difference (MAD) Squad Development Centre, established about six years ago offer training courses in welding, boiler making, sewing and fashion design, basic computer training and entrepreneurial projects including life skills.
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and her entire executive team including senior managers in the province visited the centre on Wednesday, reports the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Mokonyane assigned different MECs and heads of department to ensure that the process of placing 50 boiler making students to provincial departments was speeded up.
The group will complete their three-months training on 5 July 2013 and would be ready for placement.
“MEC for Infrastructure Development Qedani Mahlangu will work closely with you in terms of placement. The government wants to make you better people,” said Mokonyane.
She said the provincial government wants to provide the students with the necessary support and access to economic opportunities to deter them from abusing drugs and alcohol.
“Don’t use drugs. Love yourself enough to say no to drugs. As the government we know that if we don’t deal with the issue of drugs then you won’t have the skills and the talent to look after the country’s economy. You are the future leaders of this province…therefore you need to be responsible citizens,” said Mokonyane.
The Premier had a stern warning for the area's drug dealers: “We’re breathing down your neck and taking the fight back to you because any child is my child.”
She vowed to intensify the fight against drugs across all communities.
One of the students, Mandla Dhlamini said he was excited about this opportunity.
“This gesture from our government shows that they care about ordinary citizens like ourselves,” said Dhlamini, adding that for him it was a privilege to be part of this group because it is not everyone who gets a chance like this.
Meanwhile, Welding facilitator at MAD Squad, Enoch Magaye told the Premier that they need new machinery.
“If government can help us to improve, we only have three working bays but we actually need about seven. We would also alike to have proper ventilation in this place so that our students do not get sick,” said Magaye. – SAnews.gov.za
