Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, will visit the Phakamile Community Learning Centre (CLC) in Kariega, near Gqeberha, as part of the department’s Mandela Month outreach programme.
Wednesday’s visit to the Eastern Cape Community Education and Training (CET) college marks the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) first national Mandela Month event within the community college sector, aimed at uplifting under-resourced institutions and strengthening ties with local communities.
Celebrated annually in July, Mandela Month encourages South Africans to dedicate at least 67 minutes to community service in honour of former President Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service, including his term as South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
“Inspired by Madiba’s legacy, the Deputy Minister’s office, along with seven Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), including the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) SETA as the main partner, have identified Phakamile CLC as an institution needing assistance and support,” the department said in a statement.
Planned activities for the day will include distributing hygiene packs to learners, painting and cleaning classrooms, and conducting general maintenance.
In addition, two SETAs have committed to further development of the centre through the establishment of an entrepreneurship hub and upgrades of the welding workshop.
Gondwe's visit to Phakamile CLC is in line with her broader vision of making higher education more accessible and bringing it closer to underserved communities. – SAnews.gov.za
