LEARNING MORE: David Gwabeni at the Port of Ngqura with three pupils from Douglas Mbopa High School in Motherwell. From left are Olwethu Tshangda, 16, Masixole Nkasayi, 15, and Gqomfa Babalo, 16. Picture: MIKE HOLMES
A GROUP of teenagers had a chance yesterday to work at the Ngqura Transnet port terminals, where they shadowed civil engineers and logistics managers.
The “Man in the Making” initiative aims to empower and develop male teenagers by introducing them to positive role models.
Transnet joined up with Tracker and the SABC to mentor the teenagers.
Three managers from different departments were chosen to mentor the 21 pupils from Douglas Mbopa, James Jolobe and Masiphathisane schools.
Eastern Cape Transnet port terminals regional business planning and monitoring manager David Gwabeni said: “We find there is a gap whereby there is a lack of [male] role models [in townships] that they could identify with and that is the cause of the diminishing moral fibre in the environment.”
The project caters for Grade 8 to Grade 11 pupils.
Lindokuhle Gwenta, 14, a Grade 8 Masiphathisane pupil, said he hoped to be a mechanical engineer one day.
“I think I am going to be convinced [through this initiative] to work hard and reach where I want to reach,” he said.
Ngqura Container
Terminal manager Noxolo Thabatha said: “As a company we have an obligation to educate and positively influence the lives of boy children so that they grow up to be responsible citizens and future leaders of our country.”
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