Youth are the strength of the nation, says Banothile

Youth are the strength of the nation, says Banothile Khuboni, of Tokai.

“Together we can tighten loose ends and build a solid future. It means, uplifting and being there for each other, especially now in difficult times of Covid-19,” said 23-year-old Ms Khuboni, an assistant conservation officer responsible for the City’s green-jobs and invasive-species projects.

Ms Khuboni was recently honoured at a skills programme graduation ceremony at the Alphen Centre on Thursday June 10. She was among 22 students who graduated from the City’s Kader Asmal Skills Development Programme.

Over the past two years, she has worked with about 1 000 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers from various communities within the City. “So with this many people at various sites compliance with occupational health and safety becomes very important,” she said.

Ms Khuboni, who is originally from KwaZulu-Natal, is also responsible for coordinating environmental awareness and education programmes and social development. She gets to work with various organisations, departments, schools and the general public.

According to mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt, the three-year Kader Asmal programme was started in 2019 and participants also benefit from on-the-job training.

Ms Khuboni said she would like to run her own non profit organisation one day, teaching farming skills and helping to tackle poverty and malnutrition.

Her advice to school children is: “It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it! Lastly, in every room you find yourself in, be versatile, kind and have fun. Be kind, always.”