After 14 years at West Coast College (WCC), CEO Osma Jooste-Mokgethi is retiring at the end of December.
Jooste-Mokgethi says there had been many challenges over the years, such as lack of infrastructure and shortage of staff, as the college was the smallest and youngest in the Western Cape and was formed from satellite campuses.
“The rural locality of the college added more pressure in terms of attracting students, as they did not really want to be in such a remote area,”she explained. “It has been a struggle and staff members had to sacrifice a lot — together we managed to get the college to where it is today.”
When Jooste-Mokgethi took over 14 years ago there were 176 students registered at the college, and today she leaves behind a legacy of more than 10 000 students currently studying at the institution and over 400 staff members.
Under her leadership the college has also won numerous awards, such as the Gold Award for best Technical Vocational Education and Training Placement Programme, Bronze Award for Best Artisan Development Programme, the Award for Pipe Fitting Centre of Specialisation, Silver Award for Most Improved College, and the Outstanding Service and Contribution Award.
“I am leaving a college that has adequate buildings suitable for education on all our campuses,” she said, “and we have credible and competent employees, a great management team and supportive council.
“I have done what I could in the past 14 years, but now it is time for someone else to make sure that we do not only compete with the best colleges nationally, but become the best,” Jooste-Mokgethi said.
She is taking early retirement to spend more time with her family, especially her supportive husband Joseph and children Lungelo and Sakhile.
Fairness, honesty, integrity and equal opportunities are the core values she upholds. She also believes in youth empowerment by employing young staff members and appointing former students of the college. The college has many administrators who are former students. Her philosophy in life is “No mission is impossible”.
Jooste-Mokgethi thanked the council and staff for their support over the years, adding: “If the staff members continue to live the values of the college, I believe WCC will go to even greater heights.”
