Approximately 500 learners and unemployed young people from various towns within the Bergrivier municipal area attended the annual Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Development Expo (LoTYDE) open day in Porterville on Friday 20 July.
LoTYDE was established in 2015 by the Office of the Executive Mayor with the support of the Western Cape Education Department and funded by the Bergrivier Municipality.
Grade 11 and 12 learners from Piketberg High School, Porterville High School, Steynville High School and Velddrif High were hosted at the Dutch Reformed church hall in Porterville.
According to Executive Mayor Ray van Rooy, the aim of LoTYDE is to assist learners with the support needed to choose their careers.
“Unfortunately, the absence of tertiary facilities in rural areas, combined with logistical challenges make it extremely difficult for most learners to further their studies,” he said.
“Not to mention that most families are not financially able to fund a trip to the Cape Metro for an open day. In light of these challenges, we decided to host our very own interpretation of an open day with a West Coast twist to it.”
Stalls from the various higher institutions of learning such as CPUT, Stellenbosch University, Pearson Institute of Higher Learning, City Varsity, West Coast College, University of Cape Town and Northlink College were present.
Various government entities also presented opportunities with the Department of Social Development, Department of Transport and Public Works, Department of Health, Premier’s Pay Project and West Coast District Municipality all having stalls.
This year, the lucky draw prizes included 10 cellphones, four tablets and a laptop.
Delegates also received goodie bags.
