“Employers are already recognising the calibre of Umzi Wethu graduates and the advantages of intensive year-long training.  Three of the first graduates have been targeted for management training within the first months of employment.’

Umzi Wethu is a social intervention programme which offers a gateway for vulnerable youth to access support, qualifications and a self-sustaining job in the ecotourism industry.  This training academy – offering both residential and flexible day support for a year - is a non-profit initiative enabled through scholarships.

It is equally an environmental intervention, enabling young people to access the healing qualities of nature and positive adult relationships. Every Umzi learner – regardless of their specialty training – goes “on trail”, spending a part of their training time in a wilderness setting.  Both through nature and skills development,  the training academy aims to support citizenship – to develop long-term health, life skills, self esteem, job competency, management potential and a culture of generosity to others.  Every student receives healthcare, nutrition, counselling and mentoring and a nurturing home environment during the year.

Initiated by the Wilderness Foundation in response to the social development needs of the Eastern Cape, Umzi Wethu is the first conservation programme to directly address the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis on our families.

Many of our young students are either parentless or under a great deal of pressure from their families, due to the impact of HIV Aids and poverty. Guaranteed jobs are an outcome of an intensive comprehensive approach over a 12 month period. Training in each field is provided by recognised experts who are already successful in their professional arenas. And we give students practical experience in the successful Connyngham’s training coffee shop or out in the field to support the theory they are learning, before they venture into employment. It is a programme which involves genuine social upliftment. says Wilderness Foundation CEO Andrew Muir.

One of Umzi Wethu’s strengths is the partnerships between some 35 organisations representing environmentalists, social workers, Aids organisations, academics, training institutions and the hospitality industry, he explains.

“ We are committed to creating a meaningful and sustainable impact.  It is vital that Umzi Wethu provides more than accredited training and care.  Job placement enables our graduates to bring their talents to the workplace. ”

After 18 months of the pilot phase, the first intake of hospitality students graduated on 1 July. They all qualified as either Junior Chefs or Food and Beverage coordinators, and are now employed in the eco-tourism sector of the Eastern Cape at Kariega; Kuzuko and Shamwari Game Reserves.'

Employers are already recognising the calibre of Umzi Wethu graduates and the advantages of intensive training.  Three of the first graduates have been targeted for management training within the first months of employment.

The current group of learners, which includes two young women, are training to be Game Rangers. They graduate and will be ready for job placement in February 2008.  Simultaneously a 3rd intake of 16 learners are currently undergoing training as professional junior chefs and a 4th intake is currently being selected. 

A second Umzi Wethu college is being developed at Somerset East, while a number of others are in the planning stages, according to Muir.

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