Tardi produces first successful crop
PHILASANDE Dambuza took top honours yesterday at the Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute’s (Tardi) first graduation ceremony.
The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform reopened Tardi in 2015, offering a full-time three-year animal health diploma.
Dambuza, 22, is one of 50 graduates awarded bursaries worth R9-million for full board, tuition, as well as a R2 000 monthly stipend for their three years of study by the Health and Welfare Seta.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch, Dambuza said many young people from rural communities struggled to further their studies, and the reopening of Tardi had given youths an opportunity to develop their skills.
“The past three years here at Tardi has taught me so much about other aspects of agriculture that I did not know about, such as animal disease and veterinary pathology. Some of us have gone to the University of Pretoria for workshops and we have worked with our local municipalities for on-the-job practical training,” said Dambuza, who plans on furthering studies in veterinary next year.
DRDAR’s MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said the Transkei region had the advantage of being a leader in terms of livestock farming – the only problem was a lack of skills.
“We do not have many animal technicians who come from our communities and now that these cohorts have graduated, it means we will have people in our communities who can assist with various animal diseases, as well as being able to ensure the quality and her science health of meat consumed by our people. This also means they will be able to create their own employment opportunities and not necessarily wait to be hired.
“These graduates can open their own clinics and even further their studies,” said Qoboshiyane.
The MEC added they were in the process of designating animal health posts as a way of ensuring that the graduates found jobs.
He said some of the aspects covered in the diploma included animal breeding, genetics and aquaculture.
Tardi principal Dr Nandipha Ndudane said there were many hurdles and challenges in getting the institute into full swing and it was a relief to see their first crop of graduates.
“We started with 50 students but only 37 are graduating today, with the others still completing their course. We plan on adding more diplomas in time.
“There is a crisis in terms of education and job opportunities for our young black girls and the reopening of this school is a sure-fire way to fight that crisis,” said Ndudane. —