Manzolwandle Hadebe
A second batch of youth from KwaZulu-Natal has left for leadership training in Thabanchu, Bloemfontein. There were five from Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality, as the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) has implemented a turn-around strategy to fast track the needs of military veterans in the province.
According to the Provincial Co-ordinator Bishop Zondi, who is a Military Veteran and trained in Angola under uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Wing of the African National Congress, they have received a list youth from as far as Jozini, Richards Bay and Ladysmith.
He said that the aim of the leadership training is character building, choir, sports and other activities that would be beneficial to the youth. Once they return, he said, the youngsters would positively contribute to their communities, more especially in the rural areas as the program is co-opted by AFGRI-parks and the Department of Rural Development to build entrepreneurs to be the champions and pioneers of our society.
Mayor of Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality Jabulile Mbele echoed Mr Zondi’s sentiments, adding that she will support any initiative in line with honouring of the Military Veterans and their dependents, as they brought freedom in to country. The Labour Department has also started training of 50 youth at Bhekabezayo Community Hall in Ward 13.
This is part of taking the youth out of streets and creating a better future. Spokesperson Mitch Bahadoor has said that this program is sponsored by the UIF in partnership with the old Imbabazane Municipality and the Mnambithi TVET and is a full-year learnership program in building and civil engineering.