A new chapter for Marcelle Ravid as she leaves ORT SA

After eight years of serving as marketing and communications manager at ORT SA, Marcelle Ravid bade farewell to the organisation.
This was due to company policy that employees take retirement at 65 years. Reflecting on her years of service towards her 65th birthday, Ravid shared that she joined ORT SA while still a city councillor, which was a part-time position.

“Through that work with communities, I came into contact with many non-profit organisations which do wonderful work. It was a dream to work for one and when this opportunity arose, I grabbed it,” Ravid said.

The journey has been filled with a lot of highlights and Ravid shared a few of these. Visiting the ORT SA coding projects for primary school learners was one of the highlights. “This was mind-blowing. To see these kids in the dusty townships so keen to learn. Their potential is evident. I really admire the organisation for seeing this gap and bringing Fourth Industrial Revolution skills as an extra-mural activity to these learners. It opens a whole new world of possibilities for them.”

She said another highlight was meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa at an event and hearing that he remembered ORT SA well when he was a board member of the then ORT STEP Institute of Technology back in the 90s.

“I will also never forget the thousands of youth who lined the streets near the offices answering the call for unemployed matriculated youth to be interviewed for placement in a one-year work experience programme. ORT SA has placed almost 2 000 youth and there remain some
3 000 young people on the waiting list. There is also a good rate of retention, which is the aim of the exercise.”

The dedicated, now former communications manager said she was satisfied with the excellent work done by organisation through supporting education in South Africa under the able leadership of CEO Ariellah Rosenberg and chairman Ellis Falkof, and the national executive committee as well as the committed and passionate staff.

She suggested that many more companies and small businesses needed to take on young people as apprentices and interns so that they could learn on the job and gain experience.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this global organisation. ORT SA, as well as the ORT schools, university and programmes across the world contribute much to innovation in education. I am leaving the department in the capable hands of Dale Kopping who has a wealth of experience in digital marketing.
“I am by no means retiring. I am working through my communications consultancy, Avenues to Communication and continue to seek employment where my skills and experience in communications would be an asset.”

Details: Marcelle Ravid can be reached at marcelle@avenues2com.co.za /www.avenues2com.co.za

Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/186862/ort-sa-extends-its-educational-portfolio/amp
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/162483/educating-to-save-a-life-or-empowering-educating-and-uplifting-lives/