August 2024 saw our Youth Development team facilitating the LCPA Packaging Southern Africa / LC Supports Foundation funded Siyazenzela course in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
This year the programme was implemented in the rural area of Swayimane, at the Ithembalethu Multi-purpose Community Centre.
The slightly shorter 10-day training programme was jampacked with various field trips and learning experiences. The course included a visit to ImagineIF Recycling Centre at the Midmar Dam in Howick, where the beneficiaries learned about the benefits of recycling, items that can be recycled, the importance of looking after our environment and entrepreneurship opportunities in recycling.
The learners also visited Flowe-Pac, a packaging company in Pietermaritzburg, where they learned about plastic, the extrusion process, how the company recycles and their approach to sustainability. Anthony McCleary, Founder of Flowe-Pac, shared his vision and how he was inspired to start his own business. Thereafter, the leaners were treated to a tour of the funder’s own factory, LC Shankar.
On the 15th of August 2024, the beneficiaries were taken on a wilderness nature trail through the picturesque Umngeni Valley Nature Reserve in Howick, accompanied by a personal guide from WESSA. The purpose of the wilderness trail was to highlight the healing power and resilient spirit of nature and the importance of protecting our natural heritage and biodiversity.
As is custom with this particular funder, LC Packaging staff members eagerly got involved, contributing their knowledge and experience to various training topics. Lara Haskins, LC Packaging’s HR consultant, focused on preparing the beneficiaries on how to conduct themselves professionally during a job interview.
Thobani Hlengwa, HR Manager at LC Shankar, briefed the learners on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Danie Le Roux, Senior Financial Manager, focused on teaching the beneficiaries some financial wellness.
All ten learners graduated at a memorable graduation ceremony conducted at the scenic Torwoodlea Lodge on the 21st of August 2024. The ceremony was attended by the graduates’ family and friends, Ithembalethu Community Centre staff and representatives from LCPA Packaging Southern Africa.
Honouring their commitment to sustainability, the funder has onboarded one of the graduates on a 6-month paid internship at their offices in Pietermaritzburg. Inocent Chamane began their internship on the 2nd of September 2024. The funder will also be providing another graduate, Simangele Sithole, with entrepreneurship support by assisting her in securing proper irrigation for her farm. Simangele was recently featured on Harambee’s #SAYouthVoices platform as a rising young business leader in her community.
A special thanks to LCPA Packaging Southern Africa, LC Supports Foundation and all the stakeholders involved who contributed to the graduates’ development and made the Siyazenzela course possible.