13 Sep 2024

Graduates of Ipelegeng Skills Development component in Okavango have been urged to use their skills to create employment.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s Deputy Permanent Secretary - Technical Services, Mr Mpho Morapedi made the call during a graduation ceremony of 34 graduates from Okavango, that was held Thursday in Etsha 6.

Mr Morapedi said government revamped Ipelegeng programme two years ago, to empower beneficiaries with skills that could contribute to development. He said the graduates, 29 of whom were men and five women, had gained skills in different areas like painting and decoration, brick laying and plastering, electricity, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, tiling and paving which took between five months to two years of training.

Mr Morapedi said the programme would help government to construct projects at a lower cost, using the graduates instead of well established companies, and added that the programme also led to a pool of skilled locals since most artisan work was done by foreigners in the past.

He appealed to government organisations to hire the graduates for projects such as internal roads and building houses. Mr Morapedi commended the graduates, who were awarded certificates for completion of the programme, for their dedication and said they should work in groups and form companies in order to penetrate the market better.

A graduate, Mr Laone Ntswelakgosi said he was thankful for the programme and to the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) who served as their facilitators.

Mr Ntswelakgosi said the graduates were empowered and skilled to address a shortage of artisans in Okavango. 

Another graduate, Mr Puso Dinyando thanked Okavango District Council and CITF for empowering them with skills that would help them find unemployment.

Mr Dinyando said that some of the graduates were inspired to continue with studies and establish companies. 

Kgosi Mwakaupi Seemeko of Etsha 6 said that the programme was aligned to Mindset Change campaign since it empowered individuals to change how they viewed life and to create jobs for themselves and others.

Kgosi Seemeko encouraged the graduates to work as a collective, seek assistance from relevant organisations and form companies. ENDS