​On Thursday, MEC for Gauteng Department of Social Development Morakane Mosupyoe donated a vehicle and three fully equipped mobile kitchens to Bambisandla-Sam Centre of Excellence during her visit at the centre in Western Deep Levels, Carletonville in the West Rand.
MEC Mosupyoe led the departmental team to check on the progress of the centre on its project and the services rendered since it was officially launched by the department last year October.

During the handing over MEC Mosupyoe motivated the students undergoing hospitality training. She said, “When I first came here on the 21st of October last year, I was pleasantly surprised by the setup of this centre as it exceeded my expectations. I saw the commitment from the students and staff.  Indeed, if we work together as a collective, we can make a huge difference in the society. You can remember during the launch when I commissioned one of the young graduates to manufacture a jacket for me and he did exactly that. He made a beautiful jacket, I wore it only once and my sister who is based in the United States visited during the festive, she was impressed and took it. I am sharing this so that you can understand the quality of work this centre produces”, said MEC Mosupyoe.

“Please focus on what you are being taught here because you the reason that we go to the offices to ensure we deliver services that will make a difference in your lives. As Social Development we are looking at partnerships and you will be our partners for job creation. After completing here, we would like to see you becoming employers , this can be done through establishment cooperatives for a start. We want you to write proposals and your ideas. In you lies the future of this country and economy”, she said.

Since its journey with the department, the centre assisted the graduates to establish 5 cooperatives in garment construction. They placed 15 Laundry Assistants,6 Hospitality Receptionists, 13 Bar Attendants, 23 Table Attendants, 12 Fast Food Services and 25 Chef Assistants at different lodges and hotels. The centre has the capacity to train 350 learners per quarter and 1400 per year.