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SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS & VIDEO - A project to equip young people with practical- as well as life skills has come full circle to Oudtshoorn where 344 certificates were handed over by the National Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform on Friday. 

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane visited Oudtshoorn on Friday to officiate at the NARYSEC graduation ceremony. The National Rural Youth Services Corp (NARYSEC) was established in 2010 to equip unemployed rural youth with appropriate skills to enable them to gain or create employment. 

The first programme was launched outside Oudtshoorn in Dysselsdorp in May 2011.

Since then 3 210 youth from all over the Western Cape have completed skills training and received certificates. Courses that are available and presented by TVET colleges include plant- and animal production, building, welding, general security, and engineering fabrication and engineering studies. 

The 344 students who received their certificates from the minister on Friday were enrolled for various courses in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. South Cape college provided training courses in building and civil construction to 78 of the students. 

There is currently 550 youth from all over the province, enrolled in the programme who will receive certificates once they have completed their courses.

Watch a video below:

In her address Minister Nkoane-Mashabane said that the government views young people as "a resource rather than a problem" and as "active participants instead of passive recipients of support". She also said that the youth of today are agents of change and not victims of the system.

The minister listens as one of the exhibitors explains the medicinal uses of certain plants.

With reference to the importance of women in society, she said "It is worth noting that there are 186 females and 158 males whose achievement we are celebrating today. These figures demonstrate that 55% of rural young women that the department has invested in from a bigger segment of those that are graduating today."

She congratulated the students and thanked stakeholders such as the colleges and institutions who offer employment to the youth, for joining hands in the project.

"To our stakeholders thank you very much and continue to walk this journey with us. The strength lies in holding hands. The country needs each and everyone’s contribution and input."

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