The Gauteng Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe is delighted with the work done by centres of excellence across the province saying they are on the right path to change lives of young people in the areas where they operate. She was speaking during her oversight visit to the two centres of excellence, Bokamoso Skills and Development Centre in Small Farm, Evaton North, and Kitso Information Development Centre in Sharpeville.
"I am excited with what I see, and your work speaks for itself. What I appreciate the most about these centres of excellence is the fact that their vision and their programmes speaks to what we want to achieve as the Department. We are busy preparing a proper exit strategy that will help us aggregate this young people into cooperatives and for some to be able to start their own businesses. We want to see these young people permanently removed from being dependent from government", said Mosupyoe.
The MEC further commended both centre managers about their perseverance and their good intentions for the communities. She said the department is also very committed to support centres of excellence and urge them to partner with Department of Infrastructure Development where they can refer some of the young people who are ready to exit the programme for employment and experience.
Mosupyoe applauded the Acting Centre Manager for Kitso Information Development Centre, Nicho Ntema, on how he eloquently outlined their intention for the centre. " It gives me so much courage on how you speak to your programmes because it is very important for a person to able to speak on behalf of what he does, it shows that you know what you are doing and what you want to achieve," she added.
Kitso Information Development Centre's services, primarily through its partnership with the Gauteng Department of Social Development includes among others, the operation of a community nutrition development centre, skills development programs for young people in life skills and technical computer training and literacy; entrepreneurial training and income generating programs in urban farming and electric vehicles manufacturing.