By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – Former and current students of Maluti TVET ‘s Sefikeng agricultural campus have shared how the college has shaped their career paths, with some making waves internationally.
The students used the official launch of the Sefikeng Agric-village campus to share their experiences at the college and how it has impacted on their lives; they also encouraged prospective students not to hesitate to choose Sefikeng agricultural campus.
Despite having a college that offers agriculture training , a fourth year student at Sefikeng campus Maligana ’Dopper’ Ramapulane said he travelled a long distance just to do his primary farming in Sefikeng.
“I did my research and found out that there is a progressive college in Free State with more than 300 hectares of farming land. That is why I decided to come here. From day I had a very warm welcome from kind Sotho people. I came here for practicals because I knew there is no way people can own such a big farm without giving students opportunity for practicals,” Ramapulane said.
Echoing his sentiments was Phakiso Ntambo who said:
“When I first arrived here in 2021 as a student doing level two primary agriculture, there were no livestock and gardening on the land. But through hard work, and dedication and shared vision, we have managed to turn this place into a shining agricultural excellence.
“I would like to thank the principal Mr Tsotetsi, college management and students’ representative committee of 2021-2023 for their unwavering support throughout the process. Without their leadership and encouragement none of this would have been possible.”
He further encouraged aspiring agriculture students to choose Sefikeng because of the opportunities it opens.
Hands on gardening Sefikeng campus students.
“Sefikeng is the only campus in the eastern Free State that specializes in agriculture and with the support of the district municipality we will be able to broaden the opportunities and make impact on the local community.
In essence the presence of the Maluti economic zone provides opportunities to the municipalities to play a crucial role in food security and agro-processing. We must use this opportunity of the Maluti-a-Phofung economic zone and N3 toad because we are at the centre of the country and near the biggest road that holds the economy of the country and the continent. So we are very fortunate to be situated in this region.”
Sefikeng campus student Maligana Dopper Ramapulane.
For his part former student Thabo Kolane said he did his primary education between 2007 and 2009.
“In 2011 I was given a piece of land by the department of rural development facilitated by department of agriculture. I am working on a vegetable farm, but I am still growing.”
Kolane’s career grew from being a farm owner, lecturer, and is now trusted technician trainer across the country as well as SADC.
