Date: 2025-11-05 10:17:01

Jubilation As Youth Graduate From Life-Changing Apprenticeship

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUBILATION AS YOUTH GRADUATE FROM LIFE-CHANGING APPRENTICESHIP

Excitement filled the air as proud families and friends gathered recently to witness a moment of transformation, when 45 young graduates from eThekwini Municipality’s Apprenticeship Programme celebrated their achievement.

Many of the graduates are now employed and thriving in skilled trades.

For Siwe Thusi of uMlazi, the programme was a lifeline. 

After years of unemployment and uncertainty, she seized the opportunity offered by eThekwini Municipal Academy (EMA) in the Mechanical Fitting trade.

Today, she is employed as a Mechanical Fitter at All About Engineering Services Company, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.

“This programme did not just give me skills, but it transformed me and gave me a future. I stand tall, not just for myself, but for every young woman who dares to dream,” she said.

The three-year Electrical, Mechanical Fitting, and Welding Apprenticeship Programme is a bold Municipal initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment and close the skills gap. 

It equips participants with industry-relevant technical competencies, preparing them for sustainable careers in high-demand sectors.

The majority of the 45 graduates have secured employment, demonstrating that strategic investment in youth development can deliver tangible and lasting results.

EMA Project Manager Zimele Cele praised the graduates and highlighted the programme’s broader impact. 

"Through skills development, the Municipality is addressing unemployment, inequality, and socio-economic challenges. This programme is a cornerstone of our strategy to create sustainable economic prospects for the City,” he said.

He added that the programme reflects the Municipality’s commitment to inclusive development, economic empowerment, and building a resilient city.

The graduation ceremony was attended by dignitaries from higher learning institutions, industry leaders, families, and former graduates now employed in various leading companies.

Alumni shared heartfelt messages, urging the new graduates to embrace continuous learning, persevere through challenges, and remain committed to personal growth.

The Apprenticeship Programme stands as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, shaping a skilled, resilient workforce ready to power eThekwini’s economic and social future- one graduate at a time.

ENDS

 Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.