Taung-Forty-five (45) students from the only tertiary institution in the whole country offering Diploma in Irrigation Management course at NQF level 06 were honoured for competently completing their three year Diploma in Irrigation programme.
The graduation ceremony was held last Friday, 07 June 2019 in Taung village. Out of the forty- five (45) who were graduating, eighteen (18) were females and 27 were males.
This three (3) year Irrigation programme is engineering based, equipping students with the necessary practical skills and theoretical knowledge to pursue a career in farming as well as other related careers in agriculture (Irrigation technology field).
The latest batch of graduates included students from neighbouring provinces such as the Northern Cape.
One of those is the twenty-two (22) year old Thembekile Keohitlhetse from Seweding Village in the Northern Cape Province.
Out of the forty-five, Thembekile got an award for Top Performing Student in Irrigation Programme.
Thembekile says time management helped her a lot in getting good results.
“I am very grateful to be recognised as the top achiever for 2019. I did everything I could to get the good results but I think time management helped me a lot.
“I believe that all my colleagues were capable to be recognised but I am glad that I am the one who walked away with the award,” said elated Keohitlhetse.
Keohitlhetse thanked Agriseta for funding her last two years of study at the college and she has applied to Central University of Technology to further her studies in advanced Diploma in Extension Services.
Congratulating the successful students, the Head of Department Dr Poncho Mokaila said the ceremony was meant to pay a tribute to the outcome of their hard work and commitment as graduate of Taung Agricultural College.
Mokaila further challenged the graduates to go out there to employ the skills and the knowledge they have been able to acquire during the three (3) years of their studies, to ensure that they contribute in addressing the challenges related to water scarcity and climate change that affect the production output of the farming communities.
“You have surely gone through challenges throughout your stay at the college. Those challenges were meant to prepare you for the professional world we are releasing you to today. You were able to navigate your way through difficult circumstances; some of you coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, scrapping for amenities all the time. You succeeded nonetheless.
“Go out and make your mark and help transform not only agriculture but the rural landscape in our province. As the National Development Plan says, we need the rural areas to be integrated into mainstream economic development. Please play your part and become a catalyst for this change so that we can fight poverty and become a more equal society. Let us build South Africa to become a better place,” Dr Mokaila concluded.
Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane of Batlhaping ba-ga Phuduhucwana in Taung joined in the celebrations and urged graduates to pursue lifelong learning.
“As you will be joining fellow thousands graduates from this institution who are scattered all over the world, you must keep on learning and remain curious,” said Kgosi Mankuroane.
For the 2019 academic year, Taung Agricultural College has registered one hundred and eighty five (185) students from across study levels.
Issued by the Communication Services Directorate Enquiries: Ms EmeldaSetlhako
Tel: 018 389 5684
Cell: 060 745 4020
Email: ESetlhako@nwpg.gov.za Website:www.nwpg.gov.za/Agriculture/ Facebook:www.facebook.com/nwpread
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