By Bonolo Koloko
The AgriSPACE campus hosted a certificate ceremony on the 4th of September 2026 to celebrate the successful completion of the NQF 2 Plant Production Learnership by a group of learners comprising both persons living with disabilities and able-bodied learners. The ceremony recognised the dedication, commitment and hard work of learners who completed their training and are ready to take the next step towards practical participation in the agricultural sector through contract growing.
The programme was made possible through the valuable support of sponsors and stakeholders who invested in the training and development of the learners. Their contribution enabled participants to access structured learning, practical agricultural experience and opportunities to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a real production environment.
The programme was sponsored by various sponsors, namely:
- Oricol Environmental Services,
- Seaboard Overseas Trading and Shipping,
- Kerry Ingredients,
- SOS Silviculture,
- SOS Harvesting,
- SOS EUCS
- Sebenza Forestry,
- Merlog Foods,
- B&M Analysts,
- Siyanda Terminal Services,
- Jackaroo Paper SA,
- Webroy,
- VR Print,
- Siyanqoba Forestry Solutions,
- Boltfix, and
- Tripaphase
The learnership is designed to equip participants with relevant theoretical knowledge and practical competencies in plant production, while creating pathways towards meaningful inclusive participation in the agricultural sector.
An important component of the programme is the preparation of learners to become contract growers for enterprises operating at the AgriSPACE Campus. Following the completion of their training, learners entered into contracts with the relevant enterprises. These agreements mark an important milestone, as they provide an opportunity for the graduates to apply their plant production competencies in a practical commercial environment while contributing to agricultural production and enterprise development.
The ceremony was also a time to acknowledge learners who demonstrated exceptional performance and positive values throughout the programme. Special recognition is given to learners who were awarded the following awards:.
- Ubuntu Award: for a learner who showed kindness, help, respect, and teamwork.
- Best Learner in Class: for outstanding academic performance.
- Best Learner in Practicals: for excellent skills in plant production.
- Most Deserving Learner: for showing commitment, perseverance, and determination and seeing the programme through regardless of challenges one faced/ faces.
Learners who received these special certificates were honoured with framed certificates and gift hampers that consisted of products produced on campus by incubated entrepreneurs.
Zola Zeka “The most deserving learner”
and Lusanda Xakaza “The Best learner in practicals”
The event served as a reminder that education and skills development can create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable participation in agriculture. The learner’s achievements reflected not only their individual efforts, but the support of the sponsors, facilitators, technicians, staff and enterprises that contributed to the success of the programme.
The AgriSPACE Campus congratulates all the graduates and wishes them success as they begin their journey as contract growers.
