Adult education programme empowering City staff for over 20 years
08 February 2020
Over 150 City of Cape Town employees recently embarked on a journey to further their learning through the City’s Adult Education Training (AET) programme. The programme is offered to all City staff members who are without the first qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. This well-established programme has been running successfully and empowering staff for over 20 years.
‘The City of Cape Town’s Adult Education and Training programme is inspiring on so many levels and demonstrates how eager our people are to equip themselves with knowledge and to move forward in life. People want to improve their situations and this programme provides them with the structure and support to do so,’ says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Sharon Cottle.
Over the past week, the 2020 intake of learners completed the orientation and are now equipped to start with their learning. Four of the learners are going on to AET level four this year in order to attain their Grade 12 qualification and eight learners will be working towards their General Education & Training Certificate (GETC). AET provides these aspiring learners with a foundation for lifelong learning.
‘It is never too late to start anything especially if it is to learn and empower yourself. Over the years the City has witnessed staff members from all walks of life who decide to embark on this journey, some of the individuals have even gone as far as masters level and became educators themselves, ‘says Councilor Cottle
This 2020 group of AET learners range between the ages of 30 and 65, with the majority falling within the 40 to 50 age bracket. The participants come from areas across the metro including Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Joe Slovo, Athlone and Gugulethu. All with one thing in common, a drive to improve and create better futures for themselves.
This year the City elected two particularly inspiring learners to deliver words of encouragement to the new group at the AET orientation event. Both Nomfundo Noranya and Shadley Visagie are inspiring examples of how a positive attitude and hard work will never fail you.
Nomfundo Noranya, lives in Khayelitsha and works within the City’s Health department in Brackenfell. At 50 years of age, Nomfundo is motivated more than ever to pursue her GETC qualification. Nomfundo Noranya started on level two of the AET Programme in 2017.
‘My life has changed a lot since I started this programme. I’m able to manage myself very well through life orientation learning and my facilitator has taught me a lot about emotional intelligence. I’m working as a cleaner but I can proudly say that the City is interested in my development and I am currently being trained as an office assistant. I have been exposed to many places I never thought I would see and can’t wait to complete my GETC qualification and afterwards to do my matric as well,’ says Nomfundo Noranya.
Shadley Visagie, a 48-year-old from Athlone, works as an Operational Supervisor Driver within the Solid Waste Department. Shadley started on level three of the AET programme in 2018 and completed level four in 2019. He strongly believes that one should never let anyone tell you that you are not capable or too old to achieve something.
‘Keep the faith and remember you have made the right choice to empower yourself. Just stay dedicated; committed and keep a positive mindset. If learners keep working hard there is no doubt that they will go from strength to strength and progress to the next level,’ says Shadley Visagie.
The City has witnessed how lost dignities and self-worth of staff members are restored. For many, knowing that they will no longer be stigmatised for being illiterate or that they will now be able to budget together with their spouse without feeling vulnerable makes a big difference in their lives. Learners feel empowered by the programme as it enables them to access information and often promotion opportunities that would otherwise not be in reach.
Levels one to three of the programme focuses on language literacy; communication and numeracy. Thereafter learners progress to AET level four where they complete the first qualification which is the GETC. Thereafter a six month programme is offered to bridge the gap of Grades 10 and 11 in preparation for the Grade 12 qualification.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
