Mentec Foundation, a non-profit organisation which offers information communication technology, has been based in Germiston for 13 years.<\/p>\n
Though many locals aren\u2019t aware of the company, it has recently made waves in Kuruman, in the Northern Cape.<\/p>
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), in partnership with Mentec Foundation, Blue Chip Mining Solutions (BCMS) and GaSegonyana Local Municipality made it possible for 610 beneficiaries to receive training on portable and digital skills in Kuruman.<\/p>\n
The project started in 2016 when BCMS retrenched mine workers and applied for assistance from MQA to assist with skills and enterprise development.<\/p>
Mentec ran its first certification ceremony at Bathlaros Community Centre where 430 beneficiaries received training certificates, and the remaining number of beneficiaries will graduate before June this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started we were determined to develop not just artisans, but confident and well-rounded individuals in the Cisco training programme, electrical engineering, plumbing, crop production, sewing, carpentry, administration, meat processing, boiler making, welding and agriculture,\u201d said Sharon Cloete, general manager for Mentec.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not easy but we are celebrating the achievement of this milestone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mentec also worked with the local Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and local FNB branch to enhance enterprise development.<\/p>\n
A number of sites in Kuruman\u2019s surrounding areas were used for training, but Mothibistad and Bathlaros were the main areas.<\/p>\n
An investment of R1.4-million was made to erect two greenhouses at Moffat Mission Station for crop production.<\/p>\n
Mentec has handed the use of the greenhouses to the project beneficiaries, Bomme Hlokomelang Setshaba, for the next three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMentec has stayed focused on the project despite a number of challenges ranging from Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) certification delays, theft, perceptions and service provider management,\u201d said Solly Khoza, CEO at Mentec.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the major successes include the contracting of our graduate cooperatives for plumbing and electricity management tenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also the ones who installed the solar lights at Tshwaragano Community Hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received R102 000 for this project.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the completion, Aobakwe Jarvis, a graduate and leader from the A2Z Wiring Primary Cooperative Limited thanked the foundation for its contribution in the project, as did George Galane, the project manager of the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further to this project, Mentec also erected a toilet system for a Bathlaros-based organisation and made a stop in Wandrag to assist communities with meat processing programmes.<\/p>\n
The project created 11 cooperatives in various sectors and continues to look for economic development opportunities from the mining sector in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal was to create a self-reliant exit model for beneficiaries not to seek jobs but run their own companies,\u201d said Paul Hlwaela, a training manager at Mentec.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this to be a success the local municipality and the mining community need to open up their supply chain opportunities to the Mentec MQA graduate businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
The foundation hopes to continue making moves in the local tech industry and neighbouring provinces.<\/p>\n
In its hometown, Mentec has recently started an SAP ERP and Microsoft technical support programme and is currently implementing a drone manufacturing project powered by the Hazeyview and Hectorspruit communities in Mpumalanga.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hoping to find recognition within our own town,\u201d said Khoza.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many government and private sector programmes taking place in Ekurhuleni that we could add value to.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur office is open for business.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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