Community Development Practitioners remain important and relevant in changing the living conditions of poor and vulnerable communities. Rural and township communities depend largely on community development programmes and services to better their lives.

 

To this end, the Department of Social Development will on Wednesday, February 21, honour Community Development Practitioners in a graduation ceremony in collaboration with the Health and Welfare Sector Education Training Authority (HWSETA), in Worcester, Western Cape.

 

The ceremony is a partnership between the Department of Social Development and other stakeholders, including, the South African Council for Social Service Professionals that is in the process of professionalising Community Development Practice.

 

Other stakeholders that are part of this the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) include the HWSETA, Education Training Development Practice Sector Education Training Authority (ETDPSETA), and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) such as University of Western Cape, University of Free State, and the University of Johannesburg. The primary purpose is to recognise Community Development Practitioners who passed their Community Development Practice at NQF Level 5 at institutions of higher learning.

 

Given high levels of unemployment in the country which affects many South Africans, especially, the youth, the graduation will not only serve as a recognition ceremony, but also assist graduates to apply for work opportunities and advance their career development through the acquired certificates.

 

To date, 555 Community Development Practitioners have graduated across the country, and the last cohort of 26 graduates will be from the Western Cape.

 

The graduation ceremony will be live on:

 

www.dsdtv.org.za/live-stream

 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the graduation ceremony planned as follows:  

 

Date:     Wednesday, 21 February 2024  

Time:   10h00

Venue:  10 Stockenstrom Street, Worcester Central, Western Cape Province

 

Media can RSVP to Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

   

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.