It was a sunny Monday morning when Andile Ngcobo, a farmer and agricultural development consultant, returned to Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg. As he walked onto the school grounds, memories came flooding back, reminding him of where his journey began.
He was invited to speak at Food For Mzansi’s 2023 AgriCareers roadshow, which aims to inspire and educate learners across South Africa about the study and career opportunities in agriculture. The KwaZulu-Natal leg of the roadshow was held yesterday.
“It was actually quite interesting to see something that I wished I had seen during my time at high school,” he said. “To find my career, I needed to have an extensive consultation with our school counsellor, Mrs [Linda] Nel, during my time there. I was very confused about which subjects to choose and also to understand what careers those subjects would lead to.”
Ngcobo’s story is a remarkable one. Growing up in a rural village, he never imagined that he would one day become an award-winning producer and mentor to other young farmers. However, through hard work, dedication, and a passion for farming, he has achieved great success.
The importance of education
Addressing learners from different high schools, Ngcobo spoke about his journey, sharing his challenges and triumphs, and the lessons he has learned along the way. He stressed the importance of education and how it played a vital role in his success.
Ngcobo’s story is not just inspirational, but it also demonstrates the true power of education. After matriculating, he furthered his studies at Cedara College of Agriculture, one of the exhibitors at the AgriCareers event.
“It was quite exciting to see so many students actually understanding the [agricultural sector] in a different light,” he said, noting that many learners were thrilled “about the element of technology being incorporated into agriculture when they listened to the [computer programming] specialist, for example. They also understood finance, the economy, and engineering. Seeing them ask such relevant questions was quite eye-opening.”
Sources of inspiration
Among the other agriculturists that learners met during the AgriCareers roadshow were Andermatt Madumbi’s Donvae Hooker and Cathy Church, as well as Toinette van Rooyen, a sweet corn breeder from Stark Ayres who represented the South African National Seed Organisation.
Nkosinathi Nsele, an agricultural engineer, represented the South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers, while Krish Govender, the KwaZulu-Natal #Coding4Mandela organiser and Fairhaven Primary School headmaster, showed learners opportunities via a computer programme. He represented Tangible Africa, whose participation is sponsored by AWS in Communities.
Dennis Makuwa shared more about his career as an agronomist with Bayer while Clinton Hayward shared some of his learnings that not only landed him a Master’s degree in agriculture, but also a job as an agriculture advisor at Standard Bank.
Sakhile Mthembu, OneFarm Share and emerging business lead at HelloChoice, told learners all about the popular digital marketplace that connected fresh fruit and fresh vegetables directly from the farm to the buyer.
The educational partners played a crucial role in the success of the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the AgriCareers roadshow, which introduced learners to various career study possibilities in the agriculture sector. Representatives from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Cedara College of Agriculture, and Agri Skills Transfer were on hand to provide information and guidance to learners interested in pursuing careers in agriculture.
Overcoming the challenges
Post-matric study options in South Africa remain limited to many young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite various government initiatives aimed at increasing access to tertiary education, such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), many students still struggle to pay for their studies.
One of the main barriers to post-matric study is the cost of tuition fees and other related expenses, such as accommodation and textbooks. For many families, these expenses are simply too high, and students are often forced to abandon their dreams of furthering their education.
In addition to financial constraints, there are also other challenges that limit access to tertiary study options. These include inadequate academic preparation, limited opportunities for career guidance, and a lack of information about available courses and institutions.
Despite these challenges, many young people in Mzansi remain eager to further their education and pursue meaningful careers. They recognise the importance of education in unlocking opportunities and improving their lives and the lives of their families.
Learners are hungry for more
As Gomolemo “Diesel” Phalatse from Agri Skills Transfer noted, learners are hungry for more opportunities to better themselves, and initiatives like the AgriCareers roadshow play a vital role in showcasing the many options available to them.
He noted that the learners were eager to learn more about the various opportunities available to them. “The learners we interacted with were really engaged and enthusiastic about learning more about the different career paths in agriculture,” he said. “They were hungry for more information and opportunities to better themselves.”
Demian Mukansi from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Goodness Ndlovu from Cedara College of Agriculture provided learners with information about the academic programs offered at their institutions, as well as the career opportunities available to graduates. Agri Skills Transfer, on the other hand, provided learners with information about their training programmes and the support they offer to new-era farmers.
The educational partners played a vital role in helping learners understand the importance of education in pursuing a successful career in agriculture. They also provided learners with valuable information and resources that they can use to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.
Van Rooyen, a plant scientist, expressed her pleasure and gratitude towards the organisers of the AgriCareers roadshow. She said, “What a privilege to have been part of such a mind- and game-changer event. Thank you to the vibrant and well-organised team from Food for Mzansi for organising the career day.”
Van Rooyen was particularly pleased with the level of interest and enthusiasm displayed by the learners towards sciences. She further added, “I am looking forward to the positive impact these young, enthusiastic minds will add to our agricultural sector.”
Don’t miss out!
Next month, learners in the Northern Cape and Western Cape will get a chance to attend the 2023 AgriCareers roadshow, powered by Food For Mzansi. On Monday, 17 April the career exhibition will be hosted at the Northern Cape Rural TVET college in Upington, and two days later, at the Augsburg Landbougimnasium in Clanwilliam. Click here to register your school.
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