Young Falcons inspired to spread their wings by SAAF
Provincial MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu attended the Young Falcons camp gala dinner, which was held at Meridian Newcastle on June 28.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula encouraged learners in the district to take up studies and careers in the South African Air Force (SAAF).
The SAAF hosted the annual Young Falcons camp, as part of its Youth Development Programme, in collaboration with many industry players including the Provincial Department of Education, the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (ARMSCOR), Saab Grintek Defence, South African Airways, Sanlam and African Ambassador Haulers.
The programme ran for two weeks from June 15 to 29, at Meridian Newcastle Independent School and Siyamukela High School in Madadeni.
Mapisa-Nqakula addressed learners at the SAAF Passing Out Parade on June 29, at the Majuba FET College Stadium in Madadeni.
“I am very happy by the growth in numbers of learners who were a part of this camp. This is the second camp to have so many learners participate in it since we first began this initiative. What makes me even more happy is the fact that local learners were just as excited about this camp as we are. Such initiatives are what we need, where young people gather in one place and are taught life skills and how to carry themselves. We must make sure our youth have a purpose for waking up each day. This can bring so much change in the lives of the youth. I encourage young learners to seriously consider studying aviation courses when they reach tertiary level. I also wish that municipalities can support such programmes and for the learners to stand firm in their roots, understanding where they come from and where they are going.”
Provincial MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu attended the Young Falcons camp gala dinner, which was held at Meridian Newcastle on June 28.
He also encouraged learners to study mathematics and physical sciences, and expressed his happiness at the level of enthusiasm of all learners, who were part of the Young Falcons camp.
The camp is held annually, with the aim of introducing learners from Grades 10 to 12 to aviation, with specific attention paid to maths and physical science. This year’s camp marked the 13th year since the SAAF’s involvement in the Youth Development Programme, with the purpose to inspire the youth of the country to reach for the sky. Its slogan is ‘Siyandiza Young Falcon’, translated as ‘We fly Young Falcons.’
Amajuba District Mayor, Dr Musa Ngubane also addressed learners:
“We are truly grateful to all the learners and teachers who were involved in this camp. It has been an honour to host such a high calibre programme in the district. Such an initiative will not only benefit the young learners in education skills, but with life and people skills too. They will learn about dedication to their work, teamwork, perseverance and leadership skills. We know that currently youth unemployment is a problem, but as a district, we aim to rise above all that.”
The Young Falcons camp will be held next year, in KwaNongoma.
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