Just over two years ago Bergzicht Training and Development, as part of an important strategic initiative, decided to find ways to improve the job retention rate of graduates. Thanks to the implementation of the Bergzicht Development Model, the organisation was able to celebrate a record number of graduates who remain in employment after a year at its recent Alumni Celebration Day held on 19 November.
More than 250 people, including donors, training partners, local business representatives, industry mentors, members of Bergzicht Training and Development’s Board of Directors, including 66 alumni attended the Alumni Celebration Day event at Bergzicht Training and Development’s Campus. All the alumni were gifted with prizes sponsored by a range of businesses, organisations and individuals.
The top prize – a return flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg sponsored by Global Accommodation and 5-star accommodation and dinner in Johannesburg sponsored by Tsogo Sun – was won by alumnus Lungelwa Booysen, an Assistant Chef at the renowned Jardine restaurant, in Stellenbosch. Lungelwa was chosen as the champion out of other top performing alumni which included Lulekwa Ngxola, Hanneline van Wyk, Sisanda Hayizana, Callynn Adams and Amanda Houston.
Chef Kyle du Plooy (left) from Eike by Bertus Basson Restaurant is mentoring Sisanda Hayizana who has been working at the establishment for a year. (Lynne Rippenaar-Moses)
Our sponsors included:
- Compuscan
- Davene Pool Beauty Studio
- Sasko Pioneer Foods
- Montagu Dried Fruit & Nuts Head Office
- Wrap it Up PR & Communications
- Oranje Blanje Blou (Stellenbosch)
- Shoprite Checkers Group
- Bosch Hair Studio
- Mr and Mrs Le Roux (Stellenbosch)
- Grace Photography
- Middelvlei
- Wild Peacock
- The Fat Butcher
- In Context Consulting
- Mrs M Lapoorta
- Chi-Chi Spa
- Asara Wine Estate
- LVN Skincare Clinic
- Prof Van Wyk
- Ms E Jacobs
- Adventure Shop (Stellenbosch)
- Spier Hotel
- Ackermans Head Office (Parow)
- Global Stay and 54 on Bath Tsogo Sun
- De Oude Werf
- Pane E Vino Food & Wine Bar
- Arra Vineyards
- Mrs Metabo
- Hillcrest Berry Orchard
The Alumni Celebration Day is the culmination of the changes that Bergzicht Training and Development has made to ensure graduates are employable, but independent enough to take ownership of their own career development beyond the support and mentorship they receive.
“Since 1992 we have trained more than 12 000 beneficiaries and have assisted 80% of those graduates to find employment,” said CEO Renske Minnaar. “By teaching individuals market-related skills and providing them with the tools needed to break the generational cycles of poverty, we are addressing one of the most pressing needs facing disadvantaged communities today – high unemployment, which leads to extreme poverty.”
In 2018, Bergzicht Training and Development developed a training model, a unique value chain with critical links that enables self-leadership and employability. An investement was made to employ a registered social worker and social auxiliary worker who would be responsible for providing mentoring and support to beneficiaries and graduates until their first year of work completed. Read the full story about the work placement team and how they are improving the graduate work retention rate.
“By investing in our mentoring and support team, we have seen a substantial growth in the last year in the number of graduates who now remain in employment,” explained Minnaar.
Leatitia Solomons-Manuel, the presenter of Leatitia se Taxi which airs on DSTV’s VIA channel, was the MC at the event.
Mike Ratcliffe, the co-chair of Visit Stellenbosch, congratulated the alumni on making a success of their careers and climbing the career ladder in their various fields. Speaking about the hospitality and tourism industry specifically, he said: “I look forward to getting behind you in this industry and to helping you grow.”
Photo: Six of the top alumni who had overcome various personal and career obstacles, yet had remained in employment and climbed the career ladder as well were rewarded with huge prizes that included flights, accommodation, and store vouchers, amongst others at Bergzicht Training and Development’s Alumni Celebration day. The four alumni include Lulekwa Ngxola (left in the front) and Lungelwa Booysen, who also won the top prize for her achievements, as well as Callynn Adams (far left in the second row) and Sisanda Hayizana. With them are Sisanda’s mentor chef Kyle du Plooy (far right second row) from Eike by Bertus Basson Restaurant and Louise le Riche (back row, far right), who is the wife of renowned chef George Jardine, who is mentoring Lungelwa. In the back row from the left are Erika Kok, who sponsored the main prize for the top alumnus, Sonia Gouws, who is Sisanda’s sponsor, and Sisanda’s mom, Nosamkelo Mavis Hayizana. (Lynne Rippenaar-Moses)
