The Durban University of Technology’s Department of Co-operative Education recently visited Victoria Mtshali Hall in Amaoti, Durban where an entire day was dedicated to offering career guidance to the youth of Amaoti.

The event was hosted as part of the Rotary Road World of Work, an initiative organised by Rotary District 9270’s Economic and Community Development Committee aimed at empowering the unemployed youth of Amaoti with information on both careers and entrepreneurial opportunities. DUT’s Co-Operative Education Department participated in the event after an invitation by the Rotary Club.

Speaking about the visit to the area, Co-operative Education and External Engagement Manager Themba Msukwini said it was important for the Department to honor the Rotary Club’s invitation. “We had to explain to the youth of Amaoti how to get to university and tell them about faculties and courses offered and financial assistance available from NSFAS. This is the unemployed youth that are school leavers; they don’t have access to information. It was important to go out there and tell them what our university does to shape (one) to be ready for the industry, because if we don’t go to them, they will not know about us,” he said.

Rotary District 9270 Economic and Community Committee Chairwoman Monique Labat said it was essential to invite DUT to assist with information. “Access to learning creates a better and more educated society that can be able to make good decisions in every aspect of its life. The youth of Amaoti is now better informed; we thank DUT’s Co-operative Education for its participation in our Rotary World of Work all day seminar. Many of the young people were delighted to receive DUT caps and lanyards,” she said.

Labat said the Rotary District Economic and Community Committee had created a blueprint manual on how to run future workshops which would be made available to all Rotary clubs.

She said the committee was eager to work with DUT in the future in working towards the creation of sustainable economic initiatives within urban, peri-urban and rural communities.

– Nkosinathi Wanda

Pictured: The youth of Amaoti receive career guidance during the Rotary Road World of Work recently held in the area (Amaoti).