GOVERNMENT-FUNDED SKILLS CENTRE CHANGES LIVES IN ZUURBEKOM

By Madali Chibambu.

• Empowering disadvantaged youth: Over 50 graduates from rural and under-resourced communities received industry-relevant skills training at the government-funded Philani Community Development Centre.
• Pathways to economic independence: The centre supports graduates in forming cooperatives, accessing funding, and starting businesses, with many securing formal employment.
• Proven community impact: Since 2001, Philani has provided free training in fields such as Agriculture, IT, and Baking, becoming a catalyst for youth empowerment and social upliftment.

A spirit of pride and celebration filled the Philani Community Development Centre in Zuurbekom, Western Corridor, as more than fifty young graduates were honoured for their achievements.
The ceremony marked the culmination of months of dedication from graduates, hailing from disadvantaged communities such as Mohlakeng, Zenzele, Burwa, Simunye, Bekkersdal, and Waterpan, as they walked across the stage to receive their hard-earned certificates, they symbolize hope, resilience and new beginnings.
Established in 2001, the Philani Community Development Centre, a Non-Profit Organisation funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development. With 18 classrooms, the centre offers a diverse curriculum, including Agriculture, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Literacy, and Baking. Its founder, veteran educationist Phyllis Malope, was inspired to act after witnessing the lack of opportunities for young people in the area.
“We encourage young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, to take these opportunities seriously. Once they complete their studies, we help them form cooperatives and apply for funding to start their own businesses. Many of our graduates are now successful entrepreneurs,” said Malope.
One of the shining examples of this transformation is 19-year-old Karabo Moremi, who was joined by his mother at the ceremony. Moremi has already secured a job as an Assistant Administrator at a nearby primary school, thanks to the training he received at the centre.
“On my first day, I was shocked to find out everything was free,” said Moremi. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I took as many courses as I could and completed all of them. Today, I’m working, and my parents are proud of me.”
Moremi had once aspired to become an accountant, but financial constraints put that goal out of reach. Now, he said, this opportunity was the beginning of a new path, one he never expected but is fully embracing.
“I avoided drugs and stayed off the streets. My advice to other young people is to avoid sitting at home doing nothing. Government programmes like these are real; they can change your life for the better,” he added.
Philani Community Development Centre continues to play an essential role in uplifting youth, offering them not just skills but a sense of purpose and hope for a better future.
As the graduation ceremony ended, it was clear that Philani is more than a centre, it’s a lifeline. It demonstrates that when government collaborates with committed community leaders, real and lasting transformation is not only possible, it is already underway.