On the 14th of October 28 of our students graduated. This was surely one of the most exciting and colourful graduations in the history of Themba Training. I believe 4 things contributed to the success of this event;
1.
Patson
and his students
The interaction between
Patson and this group of students, plus between the students themselves has
been very encouraging. This group also represented an older age group than most
of our previous classes. A number of the students were born in the 1940s and
should be preparing for retirement. This is the furthest thing from their
minds as they simply cannot afford this luxury. The prospect of finding
employment at this age is almost nil, therefore establishing micro businesses
is the only way to put bread on the table.
2.
New
premises
We held the graduation
in the large training room which forms part of the new facility we will be
moving into at Mfesane on the 1st of November. It is a great
improvement on anything we’ve ever had in the townships. We will be partnering
with Bosom Buddies and use the facility also for other training, with a
sewing project (linked to business training) our first new venture.
3. Visitors from Finland
23
Students from the University of Aalto in Helsinki (Finland) also joined us on
the 14th. They
were visiting South Africa to study projects involved in assisting
micro-business owners (entrepreneurs) with special interest in micro-financing.
Their presence at the graduation added that “something extra”. To bring even
more colour to our event 8 young people from America popped in as part of a
general tour visiting the various Thembalitsha projects.
4.
It
was difficult to drive around in Crossroads/Philippi with 23 blond Finns
visiting various businesses so in the end Patson organised for a number of our
students to bring their businesses to Mfesane. We were blessed with a beautiful
day and passers-by were surprised to see shops erected overnight outside the
training facility. This provided the students from Aalto the opportunity to
interact with and interview our students.
