Sol Plaatje University (SPU) congratulates the first group of 17 SPU support staff members taking part in the FoodBev SETA – and SPU – funded Adult Education and Training (AET) programme.
The AET programme at SPU is offered to staff by SPU’s Human Resources Department, and is aimed at empowering staff by helping them work towards a National Senior Certificate (NSC/ Grade 12/ Matric), doing two subjects at a time over a period of three months. The first cohort of staff learners’ results were released this week, with two achieving distinctions for English AET Level 2 and five achieving distinctions for Mathematics AET Level 1.
Lydia Klaas, a Cleaner at SPU, achieved a distinction and the group’s highest mark in English AET Level 2. “When I heard about the programme I thought let me try, because I’ve been cleaning for about 10 years, and I’d like to do more. Once I matriculate I will definitely study further. I don’t know what direction I might take, but I have to see what else God has in store for me.”
She has a message for colleagues who might still want to tackle their NSC. “We must use the opportunities that are given to us, because they can take us somewhere in life. Not everybody gets these kinds of opportunities. I want to tell those who haven’t started yet that they must start. It’s not as difficult as you think. I am 47 years old, and anyone can make it, no matter how old you are.”
Kedibone Mothelesi, Acting Supervisor in SPU’s Catering division, scored a distinction and the highest mark in Mathematics AET Level 1. “I am very happy about the results, and proud of myself and my classmates for our hard work,” she said. She enrolled in the programme because she wants to secure a better position at work. “I would also love to study further, perhaps do a degree in Education and become a primary school teacher.”
The first group started with English AET Level 2 and Mathematics AET Level 1 in August 2021, and wrote their exams in December 2021.
“Group 1 has now progressed to the next subjects,” said Chanè Kruger, who coordinated the programme on behalf of the HR Department. “We have also identified a second group – consisting of eight employees – who started classes in November 2021, and a third group – consisting of 17 learners – who started classes on 19 January 2022.”
The first programme took place at Luka Jantjie House, North Campus, where a classroom was made available for the staff members and the service provider and facilitator. The learners attended classes Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, and they were all released from the workplace, which played a huge role in the group’s 100% pass rate and seven distinctions.
The programme was launched after SPU Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Andrew Crouch spoke about the importance of helping staff members who haven’t had the opportunity to complete the NSC.
Mr David Kanguwe, Chief Operating Officer at SPU, said the staff learners, HR Department, FoodBev SETA and everyone else involved deserve praise and should be proud of the outcome of their collective effort.
“SPU hopes to see more staff take up the opportunity to get help in obtaining their National Senior Certificate,” Kanguwe said. “The strong results from our first cohort shows that consistent hard work always pays off, and that SPU is committed to helping our staff through continuous career development. I would be very pleased to see some of the new matriculants, no matter their age, enrolling to study toward post-matric degrees, diplomas and certificates as the programme progresses.”
Kanguwe thanked the senior managers and line managers who helped empower their reportees by creating the space for them to attend classes. “Ultimately, though, all our congratulations are due to the 17 staff learners who flew the SPU flag high by producing such impressive results. Congratulations to all of you, we are very proud of you!”
