Four young graduates from the North West who previously seemed destined for failure have had a breakthrough after being given bursaries by the provincial agriculture department, which has now committed to employing them.
One of the graduates, Nomalanga Sibinda of Podumong outside Taung initially wanted to pursue a qualification in environmental studies but did not have the funds to do so.
Her breakthrough came in 2019 when the government awarded her a bursary, which she used to obtain a degree in Agriculture specialising in irrigation.
Nomalanga believes there are opportunities for women in the agriculture sector.
“I did not have the love for agriculture, but I fell in love with agriculture while studying. I realised that agriculture is broad and the opportunities are many. Women are not into agriculture; therefore, we need to venture more into agriculture so that we can help grow the economy of our country,” she said.
The North West agriculture department MEC Desbo Mohono said her department was in the process of employing Nomalanga and three of her fellow graduates.
“ I am proud to say when I said learners be assisted with a bursary to be in an agricultural college, learners from very impoverished backgrounds came in and grabbed the opportunity with two hands.
“I stand here today proud that they have graduated, and having graduated, they are happy that they are going to change the narrative of the background where they are coming from,” Mohono said.
She said her department will soon be employing them. “We have got assistant extension officers we will be taking some of them in that programme, none of them will be home and not doing anything,” She said.
