23 November 2004

By Clifford Mogotsi

EIGHTY-FIVE municipal workers were thrilled when they received their Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) certificates at a graduation ceremony at the Mogale City centenary hall recently.

ABET, an outcomes-based training programme, offers adults basic learning tools, knowledge and skills, and provides them with nationally recognised qualifications in an effort to eradicate illiteracy.

At the ceremony, the graduates were encouraged to study further in order to apply for better positions in the Municipality.

Municipal manager, Itumeleng Mokate, said the graduates should be an inspiration to others. "When I came to office in 2001, our assessment showed that the majority of our staff needed training and this reminds us senior managers that we can create a space for other employees," said Mokate.

The four classes of ABET training are equivalent to Grades 1 to 9 and include subjects such as literacy and communication, mathematical literacy, natural science, arts and culture, life orientation, human and social science, economic and management science.

Also present to congratulate the proud graduates was Council speaker Farouk Bhayat. "Learning leads to a better life and you must be glad that you won't need an interpreter to go to the bank any more," said Bhayat.

The man of the moment, Edward Mashilo, who passed level three with flying colours, said he enrolled with ABET not only to get a certificate but also to encourage others to follow suite.

Mashilo, an outspoken administration clerk for Mogale City's waste management department, who is also studying transport management at RAU, urged colleagues and graduates to study hard. "This is just the beginning. We still need to study further in order to be able to smile in the future," he said.

Mogale City's ABET project is managed by the human resources department, which identifies and supports workers who need education.

ABET learners at the Municipality include street sweepers, office cleaners, gardeners and public safety officials.