13 students graduated from the beading and embroidery course that is offered by Ekhaya Luthando crafts work programme.
The programme was initially established by a pastor, Mthokozisi Maseko, of the Muslim church in Kwa-Thema ( it is formally called an El-Yaseen Masjid in the Muslim dialect) and it is facilitated by two vibrant old women Olga Nkosi and Jeanette Khiba who are separately providing sewing and beading skills to the students who enroll in the empowering and uplifting programme.
During the graduation ceremony, all the graduates showed their appreciation by taking turns to thank their facilitators.
They also seized the opportunity to express how they are feeling about their achievement and what they are going to do with their lives after obtaining these certificates.
One of the graduates who is 60 years old, Precious Simayela, said, “By profession, I’m a social worker and I took this opportunity because I really needed the skills that are offered by this programme, I want to pass on these skills to children that I assist within my profession.”
Another graduate Christina Stompie Ndala(78) divulged, saying, “I have learned a lot through this programme. Now I can also create my own clothing designs and craft different things with beads, I have been manufacturing my own designs of shoes before I enrolled in this programme, but I couldn’t design anything with beads, now I’m really happy that I can do anything with beads, this opportunity surely gave me an upper hand in the manufacturing sector.
By Matampane Raymond Mokwena
