Skills Training Centre launch, Boitekong

Friday, July 23^rd 2010.

The SERVE volunteers attended the launch ceremony of a skills training centre at Kopanang, Boitekong. Co­­inciding with the launch was the awarding of certificates to those who had trained to become facilitators and assessors in the training centre. The master of ceremonies for the day was Kenny Skosana who is also a project manager. Sheffield, England native Fr. Tony Pathe who has been in Africa since 1974 and in the Rustenburg Diocese with the last fifteen years led the ceremony with opening prayer, following this local Cllr.  Mr.Mokowue welcomed everybody to this special event. Tipperary native Brother Joseph Kiely, without whose dedication and guidance this  project may never have been realised, introduced the graduates who were as follows. Kenny Skosana, Jacky Diale, Brenda Moila, Ruth Mogale, Thozama Ndwangu, Mercy Chabalala and Br. Alfred Malope.  Br. Joe, as he is fondly known to most went on to explain the reason for and the importance of the skills training centre. He described the comparison between the setting up of such a centre and that of South Africa hosting the World Cup. Many believed it could not be done, that South Africa was not ready for such a large event… but “We did it! and now we are here today and we realize yes, South Africa can do things!” “Who can do this? We ourselves”.  He spoke about the importance of people using their talents in their own communities. Not having to travel to outside places to learn skills and better ones self but to set up projects and be able to do so there in your own community. In Boitekong, Freedom park, in Nkenenge, in Seiza. These skills centres exist to provide support, help and enable people.  There are 5 main partners involved: Tsolofole which commenced in 92’, Sandra du Toit, director of University College Outcome since 2006.  The 3^rd partner involved are the government structures represented by the two councillors present. The fourth group, SERVE and the fifth group and the most important of all, the people. Those who come together in the community to “show the world we can do things for ourselves. “So what is the purpose of these skills training centres? “To find among yourselves, what you can do and to help you to do it better.”

SERVE’s own William Browne said a few words on behalf of the group present. He spoke about the importance of partnership and community, how the SERVE emblem the flip-flop was chosen to symbolise  people walking the same path together to reach their destination and goals in life. Jacky Diale then presented the graduates with their well-earned certificates of facilitation and assessment with much appreciation and applause showered upon them by all those present. Following the ceremony each community proudly showcased some of their own talent in the form of singing and dancing, the Irish contribution although sung with great enthusiasm was as usual ‘left in the dust’! The craftspeople who have honed their skills in this very training centre proudly displayed their work as people mingled in a foree of food and laughter.