Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
27 April 2022
Gert Sibande TVET College held a welcoming ceremony for its Work Skills Participants at Gracelend Secunda on 26 April 2022.
The event was in honor of students from the college who went to compete in the World’s Skills “Africa” competition in Namibia.
The competition took place in Namibia, Swakopmund from 28 March to 2 April 2022.
About 70 competitors from nine African countries competed to win medals in 16 categories of skills.
15 students from different TVET colleges and Universities of Technology in South Africa were selected to participate in the competitions.
From Gert Sibande TVET College in Evander, Mr Nhlanhla kuhlase obtained in 4th position in welding and was awarded with a certificate of recognition from the institution meanwhile Mr Siphesihle Masina claimed the 1st position in plumbing winning a Gold Medal.
The event was braced by the presence of officials Department of Higher Education, WSZA officials, principals, lectures as well as parents.
In his message of appreciation, Masina thanked the management of the college, skills community and staff members at the college for the support they gave him and the other participants who went to Namibia.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to be part of the competition held in Namibia.
The journey was not an easy one but we managed,” Masina said.
“I remember the first day we landed in Namibia I thought we were going to an army camp but Mr Mohlamme said we should forget about the surroundings and focus on working because we came to work.
The first day wasn’t pleasant at all I felt like quitting and my mind was all over.
I made a lot of mistakes then I confided to Mr Masango that I couldn’t take it anymore, He encouraged me and told me he believed in me that I could make it so I gathered my strength and continued.
Second day I worked like magic, I do not know where I got the energy from till the last day but above all I am thankful,’’ said Masina.
Apart from the competition, the participants also ventured into quad biking in the Namibian desert and took walks at the beach during their spare time.
Ms Tsakane Ngobeni a national expert in plumbing shared a message of gratitude to the students. “I remember when taking the competitors to the airport, I asked them how they felt about the journey and they told me they are scared. I told them not to be scared because going to Namibia to represent South Africa meant they are already winners.
You have shown that you are the best by bringing gold to Govern Mbeki, you have conquered in this competition and I believe that you still going to conquer in Shanghai.
We want to prove to the world that South Africa is the best in skills.
Above all I like to thank the competitors and the parents for trusting us with their children through this journey,” said the thakful Ms Ngobeni.
The next level of completion will be held in China (Shanghai)
‘’We will reach the level where we want the TVET sector to be. ‘’ Mr Motha said in closing.
