In-service training programme update

Nine students completed their in-service training with us in 2023 of which two have received their National Diplomas. There is no telling how long a student may have to wait to receive the outcome of their applications. Some are fortunate and get a result within the three months we are told the application process is supposed to take but some, like Sibusiso Mazubane, are left in limbo for more than a year. Sibusiso submitted his application on September 30th 2022 and 15 months later has still not had any feedback from the Department of Higher Education.

Sthembile Sibiya (pictured here) submitted her application on the same day as Sibusiso and received notification that her diploma had been awarded 5.5 months later and so can be considered fortunate. Sthembile was born in Manguzi, Maputaland and exposed to agriculture from a young age, cultivating maize, spinach and ground nuts alongside her family. Living close to the Kosi Lakes she also developed a love for fishing. After completing the theory component of her course, she obtained 12 months of in-service training on an avocado, macadamia nut and sugarcane farm in Eshowe. Her real interest was however in animal production and so applied to our programme and was placed on Olivar Dairy Farm where she saw out her remaining 6 months of training. Since graduating she has spent 7 months at Hygro Agri in Mpumalanga where she did a post-graduate internship and subsequently obtained a 2 year internship with the Department of Agriculture and is based closer to home, in Stanger. As a side hustle Sthembile has a business planning events and selling gift hampers.