By Nangamso Mabindla
14 March 2006

CONCERNED about unemployment and crime in the Buffalo City township of Mdantsane, Inkwenkwezi High School in NU 6 has initiated a skills development programme.

Over 37 percent of the population are unemployed and less than 20 percent of those with work are active in the formal sector of the economy.

The Inkwenkwezi programme will encourage school children to learn skills such as fishing, rabbit farming, gardening, flower farming, sewing and computer studies.

Inkwenkwezi High School principal John Amoah says the project will have an impact on the daily lives of the NU 6 community. "It will make young people identify with the school – and the area of their birth."

The youngsters will be able to use these skills after school, building a career and not having to rely on others for employment, he added.

This in turn, Amoah said, will reduce the brain drain to other provinces

The Eastern Cape has huge agricultural potential and the project aims to tap into this potential, encouraging youngsters to develop these skills.

"South Africa is an agricultural country. Unfortunately our people do not show much interest in this sector," Amoah said. "I believe schools should play a big role in encouraging our young to take interest in this industry."

Another area the project will focus is fishing. East London-based Marlyn Fishing Company is supporting the programme by donating equipment, while Rhodes University has offered to develop a curriculum on fishing for the schools in Mdantsane.

"The department of education will use our project as a pilot. If it is successful it will be implemented in other township schools. We are the first disadvantaged school to have a fishing project," says Amoah.

Buffalo City's environmental services will oversee the programme.