Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore, will tomorrow morning launch the department's R3m contribution to the President's urban and rural development programme.

The launch function will take place on Friday 16 July 2004, from 11h00 at the Good Hope College, Mew Way, Khayelitsha.

In terms of this programme, 146 out -of-school youths are benefiting from courses in entrepreneurship and business skills, early childhood development, carpentry and computer literacy. The courses run over 12 months and are being conducted by registered colleges.

Furthermore, 326 young people are benefiting from a driver's training project. Of these, 150 are learners in high school and 56 police applicants, of which 18 have successfully completed their courses and are now working in the SAPS. Ten others are trained as driving instructors so that they can start their own driving schools.

The Urban Renewal Programme, and the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme has been announced by the President in February 2001. The Western Cape has two urban nodes, Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain; and one rural node , Central Karoo - consisting of Beaufort West, Laingsburg, Prince Albert and Murraysburg.

It is in line with the Western Cape Provincial Government's strategy of Ikhapa Elihlumayo and Premier Ebrahim Rasool's call on the Education Department to provide the human resource strategy to make the province a home for all.

Enquiries: Gert Witbooi
Media Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education Western Cape
082 577 6551
gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za