Above is the Thembalethu ihub.
Executive Mayor of George, Ald Jackie Von Brandis and Ward Councillor of Ward 9, Thembinkosi Lento, celebrated a significant milestone in community development by handing over certificates to beneficiaries who completed a short training course with Ululo Empowerment Technologies. The event marked the culmination of a project aimed at equipping local residents with valuable skills and initiative spearheaded by Cllr Lento, who utilised Ward Committee funding for the training.
He approached the iHub in Thembalethu, where the centre manager, Sivuyo Ngcwangu, facilitated the connection with Ululo Empowerment Technologies. The Thembalethu ihub is situated next to the Thembalethu Thusong Centre.
The Ululo Empowerment Technologies company’s owner, a former trainee of the iHub facility in Nelson Mandela Bay, eagerly agreed to participate, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to the community that once supported her. Upon reaching an agreement, Cllr Lento nominated 110 residents from his Ward to participate in various short courses. The courses offered included Merchandising, Data Capturing, Basic and Advanced Computer Skills, and Office Administration, among others.
Expressing his pride, Cllr Lento highlighted the success of the programme: “Mayor, some of the graduates are not here today because they are at work. They used the skills that they learnt during their short course to gain employment!”
Mayor Von Brandis commended Cllr Lento for his dedication and innovative approach to community development. She praised the graduates for their commitment to self-improvement, stating, “I am ecstatic to be part of this initiative. You have shown that you are willing to put in the hard work, to make the sacrifice to better your circumstances. This certificate is the key to success, and my only request today is that this will be the first of many, many more achievements!”
Acknowledging the broader economic challenges, Mayor Von Brandis highlighted the significance of the programme’s success, noting that 50% of the graduates have already secured employment. She emphasised the goal of achieving at least one job per household to support families and improve living standards. She said by doing this we can deal a blow to the unemployment figure in the country.
Please follow the link to the video: https://youtu.be/lvy5YoFLpmI
Photos:
The Thembalethu ihub.
Sivuyo Ngcwangu, Thembalethu iHUB Incubation Centre Manager with Mayor Jackie Von Brandis.
Cllr Thembinkosi Lento addresses the trainees.
Nokuthula Tshondi receiving a Merchandising certificate from Mayor Jackie Von Brandis and Cllr Thembinkosi Lento.
Mayor Jackie Von Brandis hands Zikhona Bobotyana her certificate in CCTV Monitoring. With them are Cllr Thembinkosi Lento.
Thembela Galadla receiving a Petrol Attendant certificate from Mayor Jackie Von Brandis and Cllr Thembinkosi Lento.
Lindokuhle Gxowa received a Merchandising certificate from Mayor Jackie Von Brandis and CllrThembinkosi Lento.
