GEORG NEWS - Lucricia Afrika, a Francois Ferreira Academy student, was acknowledged for her tenacity by her lecturers and fellow students at the academy's graduation ceremony on Tuesday 8 August.

Francois Ferreira told the guests that "Lucricia's house in Knysna burned down to the ground during the fires and the family lost everything, but despite this misfortune, Lucricia, a determined young lady, borrowed a uniform and came through to George the next day to write her exam. I must add she did very well."

Ferreira thanked the Department of Tourism for the funding for the course and the host employers for giving the students the opportunity to perform the practical segment of the course at their restaurants.

He also pointed out that a real problem facing the industry is the brain drain from the workplace and those leaving the country to seek greener pastures overseas. "It is our combined responsibility to nurture the chefs, they are a scarce commodity," said Ferreira.

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