Publications
Partners
The Claremont Community Improvement District Company (CIDC) recently welcomed three graduates from 18 Alpha at Chrysalis Academy in Tokai.
The three, Brandon Blauw, Sinethemba Mazwayi and Zolani Mbuku, have joined the CIDC as interns for the duration of 12 months, getting exposure to community safety services.
They are among 207 young men from disadvantaged backgrounds across the province who received a three-month training course in various safety-related matters. All the graduates have reportedly been placed in different organisations to get hands-on experience that will complement the knowledge they gained at the academy.
A statement from the provincial department of social development states that the training and development programme focused on instilling discipline and hard and soft skills, keeping their minds and bodies fit, and preparing them for leaving the academy and entering the world of work.
Provincial minister for social development, Albert Fritz, attended the ceremony.
Fritz emphasised the importance of parents playing an ongoing supportive role in the development of the graduates, and spoke of the crucial role strong families play.
“Nothing can compare to the value a responsible and committed parent plays in the household, and I congratulate the parents here today for walking on this journey with your children”, said Fritz.
Abdul Kerbelker, executive manager of the CIDC, said the graduates are in good hands and are guaranteed a valuable experience. He described them as innocent young men who are eager to learn and become better people.
“The CIDC is extremely proud to partner with the Department of Community Safety and the Chrysalis Academy on this 12-month internship.
“It is hoped that at the end of their stay they will have completed an intensive world-of-work orientation and be able to pursue further career opportunities.”
The three interns expressed their gratitude at being part of the CIDC, saying they are ready to learn and contribute towards making sure the community of Claremont is safe and clean.
Mbuku received training in firefighting. He says during the stay at the academy he learned a lot about teamwork and the importance of working for the community.
He says the three months at the academy were challenging and required a lot of commitment.
Mbuku says they would wake up at 04:00 to start their daily tasks and he is glad he made it this far. According to him, the internship is a step forward towards changing his life.
Blauw says he is grateful for the opportunity because he was unable to finish his matric due to circumstances at home.
“I have been given a second chance to become a better person.”
His dream is to work in the army after completing the internship.
Meanwhile, Mazwayi says he feels he is where he belongs because he has always wanted to work in the safety and security sector, but because of a lack of exposure he had the idea of becoming a security guard. However, he now wants to work in the Law Enforcement Department and play his part in fighting crime. He says their community is suffering from the scourge of violence and drugs and there needs to be more people in law enforcement.
