PUPILS from more than 500 schools have been given the opportunity to get their driver’s licences before they matriculate.
Mpumalanga safety and security MEC Vusi Shongwe announced this when he launched the Youth Capacity Development Project in Mbombela yesterday.
“Being licensed to drive a vehicle has become one of the requirements that job seekers must meet. Consequently many youths miss out on job opportunities due to the lack of a driver’s licence,” he said.
Shongwe said the project involved pupils doing grade 11 and 12 from 509 schools.
“Most of these young people have no parents and we cannot desert them as the government. We must play an important role in their lives,” said Shongwe.
MEC Shongwe said a total of 69 000 K53 books would also be distributed to all school libraries in the province to help pupils learn the rules and regulations of the road at an early age.
The programme is partnered with the Services Seta and offers driving lessons and public relations skills.
Seta chairman Themba Mhambi said they had contributed R49 million towards the smooth-running of the project.
“It is our main objective to invest in the country through skills programmes that will improve the economic status of people.
“We are pleased to make such a contribution in this province with the hope that these young people will positively contribute to the well-being of the province,” said Mhambi.
Christopher Nkosi, an orphaned pupil from Barberton, said he was happy to be part of the project because he would be able to get a job to feed his family. – AENS
