Some time has passed since Hlumelelisa held our graduation for the Leeuwkop Class of 2010 in March but we still wanted to take the time to share some photographs and moments from this proud event as well as to thank those who came out to support our graduates.
On 15 March, 11 individuals the from the Leeuwkop Correctional facility graduated from Hlumelelisa's Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping short skills training course that was held over the course of nine months in 2010. Two graduates from our Class of 2009 also completed our very first "train the trainer" programme that equipped them to become future training facilitators. We are proud of all of our graduates and this huge accomplishment that they have achieved.
We would like to take a moment to extend our sincere gratitude for those who came out to celebrate this occasion with our graduates - representatives were present from the Thabiso Skills Institute as well as The Healing Centre and the Department of Correctional Services. Mama Beauty of the Thusong Youth Centre opened the ceremonies with a very personal message of encouragement directed toward Hlumelelisa's graduates. Mark Lewis, who works to study sustainable agriculture and farming, delivered an inspiring keynote address that insisted that our learners take the skills and knowledge they have learned to build their futures and to work hard to contribute to a greener, more sustainable environment in South Africa. Johan Engelbrecht of the AgriSETA assisted Hlumelelisa's training facilitators, Kagiso Monegi and William Moropana, in handing out certificates to the graduates and offered them words of encouragement. We would also like to thank Flash from Alex FM and Lucky Morake for serving as our masters of ceremonies for this event - their energy was infectious.
We are proud of our learners and this milestone of learning and rehabilitation that they have passed in their lives. The most memorable moment of this celebration was to share with them as they related to the audience the changes that have occurred in their lives and the hope that they have for the future as a result of participating in Hlumelelisa's training programme. We look forward to reporting back on their future successes very soon!
