Schoolyard cooks from across the Waterberg region awarded certificates

Schoolyard cooks from parts of the Waterberg who provide food for schoolchildren were offered certificates following a skills training programme facilitated by The Tiger Brands Foundation.

The certificates were awarded during a ceremony at Modimolle’s Lekkerbreek Primary School on Friday 17 May.

The cooks were appointed by respective School Governing Body (SGB) committees to cook for the learners at various schools.

Participants arrived for the occasion dressed in academic regalia.

In a bid to improve the quality of education at school, the Department of Basic Education has since introduced the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP).

The Tiger Brands Foundation also made a huge impact by introducing breakfast at the local schools.

The cooks who formed part of the programme were from Modimolle Primary School, Maokeng Primary School, Dagbreek Primary School, Hector Peterson Primary School, Lekkerbreek Primary School and Ulando Combined School.

Tiger Brands Foundation director, Eugene Absolom, said the cooks are equipped with the right skills, to prepare and serve nutritional food to learners.

He said Tiger Brands Foundation aims to create opportunities for the people to either find jobs or start their own businesses.

“The training that you have received, and the capacity that we have tried to build through the training is supposed to assist you to be able to go into market, and stand a better chance of
being employed,” he said.

The Tiger Brands Foundation operations manager, Karl Muller, said the foundation had the best interests of the child at heart, hence they initiated this programme.

Muller said the children had the potential to become leaders of their country when they grow up, and for that to be realised they have to be well fed and nourished.

On behalf of the cooks, school-based monitor at Ulando Combined School, Dibude Dlamini, extended gratitude towards The Tiger Brands Foundation for its contribution towards shaping the lives of the Waterberg community.

Waterberg District Department of Education chief education specialist, Daniel Mphulo, congratulated the participants, and commended them for heeding the call the call when they were offered this once in a lifetime opportunity.

— The BEAT