The Royal Show: Advancing a Promising Agenda for the Youth (isiZulu)
Story by Vusi Shabalala and images by Melba Nzimande
Pietermaritzburg Royal Show is an annual event acknowledged as one of the most prestigious events in the
country that attracts many people across the province and beyond. This year’s Royal Show took place from 24
May to 2 June 2019, at the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works joined other provincial departments under one exhibition space.
In attendance and operating the exhibition stall on behalf of the department, were officials from the Units Human
Resource Skills Development and Communication. It has been noted with appreciation that there were schools
from around the province who visited the show. Equally so, more children and youth managed to take a glimpse
of Public Works stall. That was an opportunity created to advance a positive agenda in inculcating a need and
desire towards the youth in gaining more information knowledge about Public Works, while in this ‘new dawn’
time is with us to ensure that we garner more support and interest from young people in studying towards the
‘built industry’ and ‘infrastructure development’.
Above is Mr Sabelo Khuzwayo, the HR Skills Development Practitioner in conversation
with pupils from a local school
Other exhibitors in attendance were from a variety of public and private sector institutions, namely agricultural
clubs, safety & security, banks, education, arts & culture, health and wellness, media, garden & home, public
service, technology & communication, fashion & beauty, food and drink, animal supplies, arts, crafts & gifts,
commercial & industry, animal supplies, agricultural and animal supplies, entertainment, NGOs, commercial and
industrial, and many more.
The companies and public institutions as mentioned above supported the Royal Show in their numbers and that
was an opportunity for the youth and students in attendance to benefit amongst others, innovative technologies
and information that could enhance the effectiveness of learning and enrich their learning experience.
Departmental officials Mrs Melba Nzimande and Mr Sabelo Khuzwayo were quite extraordinary but critical for
young people to secure latest information on their future skills development in the built or construction industry,
employment opportunities or even on how to start up their own business. With the rigorous support of the Royal
Show, students and youth in the 21st century, begin to realize their talents and move from "opportunities
imagined" to "opportunities realized". Such information sessions offer broad based benefits for students and
youth to embark on making informed decisions for their future academic and employment adventures.
Student briefing session by Melba Nzimande
More students and youth benefits may involve; advance learning and knowledge that would propel students and
youth towards acceptance and understanding of an array of different cultural and community perspectives;
awareness and adoption of alternative multi-faceted approach to learning and career choice; analytical problem
solving skills; language acquisition that may be achieved through practical immersion and enhanced interest in
global issues as well as a broader general knowledge.
Compliments to the committee of the Royal Agricultural Society of Natal, which has over the years been very
successful in coordinating the sponsorships, donations and contributions towards the awards offered in 2019. It
is worth a price for Public Works and government to continue all efforts of ensuring that students are afforded
opportunities of skills transfer and development with an aim at enhancing youth learning capacity. In addition,
other components that drive Public Works active programmes and projects such as Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP), Izandla Ziyagezana (IZ), Maintenance Programme, Youth Environmental Services (YES)
Programme, Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme (ECDP) and others, would need to join the Royal
Show throng in the next years to come. It is a matter to appreciate in realising how the Royal Show advances a
promising agenda for the youth in KwaZulu-Natal.