GS College honours former deputy minister of higher education
Mduduzi Manana donated equipment to the GS TVET College
HIGHVELD – Gert Sibande TVET College praised their former deputy minister of higher education, Mr Mduduzi Manana, for his indelible commitment in uplifting the college.
As part of the Adopt-a-College programme, Mr Manana’s foundation donated plumbing equipment to Gert Sibande TVET College Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre.
Upon receiving the equipment, Mr Jannie Pretorius, deputy principal of corporate services, said they benefit from the Mduduzi Manana Foundation and that it’s contributions make a huge impact on the students.
“I do not have enough fingers to count the number of times Mr Manana has visited the college.
“His love for the artisan students is deeper than the ocean.
“The plumbing material will assist students during their practical training.”
Mr Manana said the foundation aims at encouraging artisanship in the country and to encourage young people study at TVET Colleges.
“We want to encourage students to go to colleges and do theory and practical.
“As a foundation we believe in artisanship hence our slogan says ‘it is good to be an artisan.’
“If I could turn back the hands of time, I would become an artisan rather than a businessman.
“When I saw the gap and lack of understanding towards artisans and their contribution to the economic growth of the country, I decided to begin a foundation that will
promote and encourage students to become artisans.
“This initiative is aimed at letting the students know how cool it is to be an artisan in the 21st century.”
The centre manager, Ms Monica Swart, gave a brief background of the college success in placing artisan students in different companies such as Sasol, Sereti and other big companies within the region.
Mr Nechieve Manombe, Project Manager at Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre, took the opportunity to give a brief background on the number of students that are funded by the different companies in order to get a trade in artisanship.
He encouraged students to not give up on their quest towards becoming qualified artisans.
