By: Lungisa Somtombo
The Department of Energy together with Central Energy Fund hosted the School Energy Day programme aimed at encouraging pupils to pursue careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field and donated 300 pairs of school shoes today at the East London City Hall.
Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe said this program is part of CEF’s social responsibility programme that focuses on educating and attracting young people to courses that are energy related. He added that it also has a bursary fund that identifies deserving pupils at matric level and sponsor them at university.
Buffalo City Metro Municipality Executive Mayor Xola Pakati said he is very happy that the minister chose this city as the venue as energy provision is one of their main mandates as the municipality.
“Our Metros vision is building a city that is economically thriving, well-governed, connected, green and innovative which aligns with this event,” he said.
Speaking at the event the minister said the province lacks skills as there is less engineers, artisans, project managers, environmentalists and technologists which is why he wants to encourage pupils to focus on STEM subjects.
Executive manager of the Central Energy Fund Vukani Khulu said the CEF decided to donate school shoes to make sure that pupils are able to go to school and study STEM to cover the gap in scarce skills in the province.
“In this event we donated 300 pairs of shoes that will benefit all the schools that attended, namely, Zinzani High School, Ebenezer Majombozi High School, Unathi High School and Sakhikamva high School,” said Khulu.
Sakhikamva high school pupil Yamkela Qotsini said she learned at a lot at the event as they were told about different career choices so it will be easy for science pupils to choose careers.