KwaThema – Thirty-two people attended a free ten-day agricultural training workshop at the KwaThema Skills Centre.
John Maluleka says the program was aimed at encouraging the residents to start co-operatives and small businesses.
They were trained in how to run a co-operative and received a certification of participation after completion of the program.
“There is a high rate of unemployment in the area. Co-ops might enable them to create their own wealth and improve their lives.
“Not everyone is going to be absorbed in the job market – some have to be farmers and business people.
“They will in return employ people and supply big supermarkets.
“We are hoping that the participants will not squander the opportunity but put the knowledge that they have received to good use,” he says.
John says they are calling on young people in the area to join their local co-ops.
“They will be able to learn the old ways of agriculture but also share the modern technological ways with the elders.
“We don’t know how to send emails and draft business plans but, if the two generations work together they will be able to bring wealth back to the townships,” he says.
