Agri Career Roadshow kicks off with a bang in Phuthaditjhaba

Simply magical. This, says Food For Mzansi’s Editor, Dawn Noemdoe, is the only way to describe the first stop in the Agri Career Roadshow reaching up to 10 000 learners over the next four weeks.

Learners were having loads of fun at the Agri Career Day in Phuthaditjhaba. Many of them have already indicated that they are now considering a future career in agriculture.

Nearly 500 Phuthaditjhaba high school learners attended the career day held at Seotlong Agricultural and Hotel School in the Free State on Monday. On Tuesday VKB, a leading agricultural enterprise, and nine other companies will exhibit at the Reitz High School where 800 learners from six different schools are confirmed to attend.

Jonas Kgotsofetse, a gr. 11 learner from Seotlong, says the career day opened his eyes to the immense study and career opportunities within the agricultural field. “It is a way of life. It dresses us. It gives us food. We live agriculture. Our daily routine is all about agriculture.”

Rodney Ndou, who represents Bayer as a sales representative in the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Lesotho, was also left inspired, describing the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow as a crucial initiative. “It needs to happen every year. It’s giving exposure to the learners in the agriculture industry and it also opens up their minds and exposes them to different careers that is not only limited to farming.”

Tiaan Jacobs from QPRO was a big hit with some of the future agriculturists attending the Agri Career Day.

The Free State Education Department’s E.P. Nel, who is also the chairperson of SAATA (the South African Agricultural Teaching Association), congratulated the organisers on the bold initiative. The roadshow also stops at Wilgerivier High School in Frankfort on Wednesday and Kroonstad High School in Kroonstad on Thursday.

Benjamin Nhlapo, Seotlong’s agricultural head of department and farm manager, says thanks to the career day his learners are now better equipped for the future. The school, established in 1992, offers specialised agricultural training with learners gaining daily practical experience in egg production, chicken, cattle and sheep farming.

Elfrieda Lotter from the University of the Free State unlocked many study possibilities for future varsity students.

Amongst the exhibitors count the University of the Free State who introduced learners to their academic offering in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Princess Moswakato, a veterinarian at MSD Animal Health, encouraged learners to excel academically to increase their chances of university acceptance.

The Sernick Group was represented by Tebogo Molele and Catherine Khau who shared their love of the land, as well as information on opportunities within the leading group. Also exhibiting is QPRO, NuPro, The Answer Educational Publishers and Food For Mzansi.

They’re excited about the future! And with The Answer Series’ study guides these learners are sure to excel in their exams

Besides the Free State, the VKB Food For Mzansi Agri Career Roadshow will travel to parts of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo. For further information, e-mail ivor@foodformzansi.co.za.