A total of 189 students graduated from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Stellenbosch, with qualifications ranging from Certificates and Diplomas in Agriculture to Baccalaureus (bachelor’s degree).
Of the 189, 52 successfully completed the learnership programme, 57 the diploma programme, 73 the B Agri programme while 7 received certificates in equine studies.
Special Awards in the Learnership Programme went to:
- Best student in Animal Production: NQF level 4: Danelle Groenewald
- Best student in Plant Production: Viticulture NQF level 4: Valentino Januarie
- Best student in Plant Production: Pomology: NQF level 4: Petrovene van Wyk
DUX Awards were awarded to:
- Danelle Groenewald from Philadelphia (learnership prgramme)
- Engela Uithaler from Ladismith ( Diploma in Agriculture) and
- Johanna Slabber from Mooreesburg (B Agric).
The National Wool Growers Association Award in Wool Production was awarded to Keanu Cilliers; Best Student in Animal Health: Small Stock went to Gert Viljoen and Johanna Slabber earned the Best Student in Animal Health: Large Stock award.
Congratulating the students, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said, “Your graduation inspires hope. I commend you on behalf of Premier, Alan Winde, the Western Cape Government, the Council of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, led by Professor Danie Brink, and the people of our province. You are the future of agriculture.”
Praising their parents and guardians, Meyer added, “We must express our gratitude to you for your sacrifice, encouragement, inspiration, motivation and most of all for never losing confidence in your children’s ability to succeed. Today’s graduation confirms that it was all worth it.”
“A skilled labour force is one of the key pillars of the Western‘s Growth for Jobs Strategy (G4J). Elsenburg has been creating opportunities in agriculture for the youth for more than 125 years. It will continue to do so for many more years to come and enable the sector to contribute to the bold target set for 2035 where our regional economy will be growing by 5%” a year,” concluded Meyer.
