550 Learners attend “Go Getters” workshop

For the past two Saturdays the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), a community social investment initiative of Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club in Secunda, hosted 550 learners, from 11 schools in the Govan Mbeki municipality, at a “Go Getters” workshop at Graceland.

The SHCDT, which started in 2001, has given over 100 deserving youngsters from the area the opportunity to obtain a tertiary education and achieve their dreams through a hands-on bursary programme and has also run “Go Getters” workshops and “Career Day” programmes for learners in deferent grades, over the years.

Unfortunately, COVID put a stop to the “Go Getters” and “Career Day” programmes for a few years while students in the bursary programme were still supported. With lockdown something of the past the “Go Getters” programme has been reinstated with the first group of 350 Grade 8 to 12 learners from Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School, Kiriyatswane Secondary School, KI Twala Secondary School, Sizwakele Secondary Schools, Kusasalethu Secondary School, all in Embalenhle and Osizweni Secondary School in Evander attending the first session on Saturday, April 13. A second group of 250 high school learners from Alpheus D Nkosi Secondary School, Ikhethelo Secondary School, Mzinoni Secondary School, all in Bethal and Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School and Vukuqhakaze Secondary School in Leandra were hosted on Saturday, April 20 at the resort and casino.

The “Go Getters” event was started by the Trust to inspire high school learners to explore new opportunities, consider study and career options and push themselves beyond their comfort zones. To help achieve the latter these workshops have often featured SHCDT bursary Alumni as speakers and facilitators. By highlighting their (Alumni’s) achievements and have them share their stories of perseverance and hard work, these events also ignite a spark in learners to strive for their own success and pursue their passions with determination.

The past two Saturdays’ workshops were facilitated by the likes of Bongumusa Mavuso, who graduated as a Chemical Engineer in 2014 and is currently working for a company in Limpopo and Mlungisi Mazibuko who graduated last year, also as a Chemical Engineer and is now employed at Sasol, both thanks to a SHCDT Trust bursary. The two shared their stories along with Alumni from other Trusts to foster a sense of motivation and ambition among the attending learners. The facilitators also shared their personal development strategies which hopefully broadened the learners' horizons and encouraged them to think about their future goals.

“The “Go Getters” programme also provides valuable networking opportunities for learners. They can interact with the Alumni, mentors and peers who share similar interests or career aspirations, allowing them to build connections that could be beneficial for their future endeavours,” says SHCDT Manager, Thomas Masango.

“Additionally, these workshops contribute to a positive school culture by promoting a growth mindset and a focus on personal development. When learners see their peers and role models achieving success through dedication and effort, it creates a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to aim high and work towards their dreams,” adds Masango.

Overall, Go Getters events play a crucial role in shaping learners' mindsets, fostering ambition, and providing them with the tools and inspiration they need to pursue their goals and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

In addition, the learners who attended the past weekends’ workshops were also able to attend a career expo professionally put together by the staff of Graceland showcasing all the various career opportunities available at the resort and casino.

Graceland staff enthusiastically manned various exhibits and shared what each job entails, skills and qualifications needed and answered questions giving them (the learners) a glimpse of what careers are available from finance, technology and information, safety and security, food and beverage, marketing, maintenance and housekeeping to gaming.

The learners also had some fun during the workshops with a few interactive exercises and were treated to refreshments on arrival and a delicious lunch, including dessert between sessions.

Helping to facilitate the workshop on Saturday, April 13 was SHCDT bursary Alumni, Bongumusa Mavuso who is pictured here working through a task with learners

Precious Nkosi (KI Twala Secondary), Bandile Nkosi (Kusasalethu Secondary), Learnmore Takura (Kiriyatswane Secondary) and Anesu Mushamba (Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary). (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

Apart from inspiring and giving learners the opportunity to network with their peers and mentors while attending the “Go Getters” workshops at Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club the past two Saturdays they were also able to attend a career expo presented by the staff of Graceland. The expo showcased the various career opportunities at the casino and resort with staff sharing what the various jobs entail, what qualifications are needed and also answered learners’ questions. Graceland’s General Manager, Charlene Ludick was also in attendance to welcome learners and answer questions.

She is pictured here with Nokulunga Sukazi (Kusasalethu Secondary) and Buhle Mngomezulu (Sizwakele Secondary) at the country club exhibit. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

As part of the “Go Getters” workshops hosted by the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT) at Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club the past two Saturdays, learners were able to attend a career expo presented by the staff of Graceland. The expo showcased career opportunities available at the casino and resort with staff like

Chef Sellinah Nkosi (middle) and Chef Khumo Mosuwe (back) sharing their knowledge with learners like Lungile Khanyi (Kiriyatswane Secondary), Busisiwe Maseko (Sizwakele Secondary) and Amahle Dhlamini (KI Twala Secondary) who are pictured here at one of the stands with SHCDT Manager, Thomas Masango (middle left) and Graceland’s General Manager, Charlene Ludick (middle right). (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT) bursary Alumni, Mlungisi Mazibuko works through a task with learners, Primrose Xaba (KI Twala Secondary), Mlungisi Mazibuko, Nothando Skosana (Osizweni Secondary) and Tholo Mobu (Sizwakele Secondary) during the “Go Getters” workshop held at Graceland on Saturday, April 13. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)