A happy day for the Public Works’ interns from uMlalazi as they graduate….
Story and photos by Sibongile Dlangalala
MEC R.R Pillay and the National Public Works team congratulate the interns who
graduated under the National Public Works Internship Programme
The Department of Public Works recently hosted a graduation ceremony for the students who were
placed under the National Public Works Internship Programme. The event took place at eShowe on
Friday 19th of October 2012. Before the beginning of the festivities, the MEC for Human Settlements
and Public Works, Mr Ravi Pillay, first visited the War Room as part of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe
(OSS) drive to personally observe and register the concerns and achievements of the area in
question.
The KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize has, as part of the provincial government’s objective
mandated all other MECs to visit War Rooms whenever hosting an event in respective areas in order
to monitor service delivery progress and identify possible interventions where problems are being
experienced. MEC Pillay visited the War Room in Ward 10 under uMlalazi Municipality. He
congratulated and extended his compliments to the community on such a well organised War Room
and thanked the volunteers on giving their commitment, devotion and time for providing community
work. Mr Pillay further assured the community that their concerns raised are noted as serious and
important and will be forwarded to the Premier for further deliberation, review and address.
MEC R.R Pillay as he addressed the community members of Ward 10 under uMlalazi
Municipality.
It is of importance to note that the internship programme aims at addressing the high
unemployment rate amongst the youth in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large. The programme
further intends to producing skilled young people and preparing them for the future work
environment. The Internship Programme has indeed proven to be a success after registering 80%
average pass rate during the 2012 academic year. The graduands were given an opportunity to give
testimonies respectively. Ms Thembi Skhakhane, who has been placed as a Personnel Practitioner
within the Human Resources Development section at the National Public Works offices in Durban
testified and attested that when she started as an intern the stipend she was receiving during the
time helped her much in supporting in alleviation of a financial burden towards her family. She was
encouraged to work hard and harder. “You don’t have to earn millions to succeed in life, you just
have to apply your mind and the rewards will follow” said Thembi.
Mr Mlungisi Dlamini, also an intern under the Internship Programme said he is overwhelmed by just
entering the work environment, as he recalls how he was intimidated during the first day and time
when entering the boardroom. In his testimony, Mlungisi encourages the youth, “money is not
everything but it’s the knowledge and the skills acquired that will open doors” he stressed.
Above are the graduands under the KZN National Public Works Internship programme.
Ms Thembi Skhakhane (left) and Mr Mlungisi Dlamini (right)
MEC Pillay congratulated the graduates on their achievement and also commended them on their dedication, discipline and patience towards achieving their goals. He further conveyed and relayed best wishes on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize and assured the graduands and guests present that government is doing everything possible to tackle the high level of unemployment amongst the youth. “There is enough in this world for our needs but not enough for our greed” quoted ME Pillay.
