The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Super Zuma, has lauded the efforts of top achieving students from Cedara and Inkosi Owen Sithole College of Agriculture who recently graduated. 

During the graduation ceremony for the 2022/23 academic year, MEC Zuma declared that top achievers would be automatically adopted into the Unemployed Graduate Programme.

On Friday, 11 May 2023, MEC Zuma hosted a meeting with the graduates where he handed over appointment letters and initiated the process of signing contractual agreements of employment. 

Speaking during the engagement, MEC Zuma encouraged the graduands to seize the opportunity at hand and make the most of it. 

"As the department, we have the task of eradicating the triple threat challenges of poverty, unemployment and in-equality in KwaZulu-Natal. Opportunities like this are very rare, which is why I urge you all to use it carefully, as this program will play a significant role in preparing you for the job market," said MEC Zuma.

The KZN DARD Unemployed Agricultural Graduates Programme is a significant intervention by the Department to address the concerning levels of unemployment among the youth. The Department aims to ensure that this program becomes a valuable tool for unemployed graduates seeking opportunities and information. 

Through this program, students will be placed in various value chains within the sector, enabling them to gain practical experience and help bridge the gap of aging farmers.

This initiative is part of the Department's efforts to rescue the youth from the troubling unemployment statistics in the country. 

The program seeks to equip graduates with the necessary skills to enhance their employability, thereby addressing the skills mismatch in the labor market. With the rising demand for food security and sustainable agriculture, there is a need for skilled graduates to fill the skills gap in the agricultural sector.

In conclusion, MEC Zuma commended the graduates for their dedication and commitment to their studies, and he expressed his confidence that the program would prepare them for the job market. 

"I am delighted to welcome you to the Unemployed Graduate Programme and look forward to seeing the great impact that you will make in the agricultural sector. We wish you all the best as you embark on this exciting journey," added MEC Zuma.

For more information on this program, kindly contact Mr. Vusi Zuma on 082 419 2887.