For us, inhabitants of Elim area, this is more than just a plea. This is about our futures, our careers, our lives! We are not going to benefit in any way from short skills programs. Big companies won't recognize us for higher positions based only on a short skills certificate. It is clear to us that only the institution offering these short skills programs will truly benefit, not the community at large.

Our heartfelt demand is the reopening of Lemana College as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution. TVET is recognized internationally for providing students with tangible skills – skills that are needed in the job market. As reported by UNESCO (2019), TVET equips people with the skills required to fuel economies and move societies forward.

Why does this matter to us? Because everyone deserves an education that goes further than short skill courses. A full-fledged TVET curriculum would equip us with the necessary depth and breadth of knowledge, enabling us to secure higher positions in big companies that require more than just a short skills certification.

We urge the relevant authorities to listen to our pleas: don't just give us training that benefits the institution and not the community. Open Lemana College as a TVET College in the Elim Area, so we can gain the skills we need to prosper and the chance to build better futures for ourselves. Sign this petition today and help us take control of our futures! This petition has to reach higher education, the premier office in limpop, vhember tvet college, and the office of Public works.