The event was a collaboration with Durban University of Technology and Dube TradePort to expose learners to career options within the agricultural and agri-processing, logistics and hospitality sectors whilst also enabling learners to make informed career choices as they embark on a new phase of their academic career.

Nkonzo Mhlongo, Tongaat Hulett’s Socio-economic Development manager, said: “The career decision-making process can be overwhelming. Thousands of learners experience indecision when plotting their careers, which can be quite bewildering. Hence, making an informed career choice taking into account knowledge, skills and attitude will be key to making relevant and appropriate life-changing career decisions. In the absence of proper guidance, young people are often more prone to making hasty and inappropriate decisions that can be detrimental to themselves and their prospective employers. One needs to consider all the options available before taking the bold step.A well thought-out decision will pave the way to a satisfying career choice.”

To ensure that high potential learners are not lost in the exceptional talent vacuum, Tongaat Hulett offers bursaries to Nkosibomvu Secondary School’s high performing learners wanting to pursue a career in the engineering sciences.

Regina Khoza, deputy principal at Nkosibomvu Secondary School - a former learner at the school and one of the beneficiaries of a Tongaat Hulett bursary, said: “I was privileged to have been awarded a bursary at a crucial time in my academic career when options to further my studies were limited. While I desired to be a professional and was ambitiously inclined, the monthly earnings of my mother could only stretch so far. I was reminded at the Career Day of Tongaat Hulett’s generosity and how the bursary had changed my life for the better. The financial aid had challenged me to study fiercely, work diligently towards my goals and live up to expectations of performing well. It was a personal decision to reinvest my teaching skills in the school where I was educated as well as into the wider community.”

Khoza obtained her Secondary Teachers Diploma from IndumisoTeachers Training Collegein Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in 1985 thanks to the sponsorship by Tongaat Hulett, which enabled her to successfully complete her second and third year of studies.

Tongaat Hulett’s association with Nkosibomvu Secondary School dates back almost four decades when the company donated a sizeable portion of land towards the construction of the school, specifically intended to benefit the children of Hambanathi.

The school opened its doors in 1978 to 238 learners from Hambanathitownship and surrounding communities. This relationship was maintained over the years through PROTEC, a non-profit education service provider that offers extra lessons to learners with aptitude in mathematics and science. A total of 120 learners - some from Nkosibomvu Secondary School - are supported with tuition.

From humble beginnings, Nkosibomvu Secondary School has grown to a staff complement of 46 educators, two administrative clerks and 1700 learners. With the majority of learners emerging from underprivileged backgrounds, the school is now a non-fee school.

Over the past 15 years, the school has maintained a 90% pass rate in matric. Furthermore, the school has been classified as a Dinaledi school due to excellent achievements in mathematics and physical science. Under the Department of Basic Education, the Dinaledi programme aims to significantly improve performance and increase participation in mathematics, life sciences and physical sciences. Dinaledi means 'Star' in SeSotho.

The school has also excelled in other areas including sports - netball and soccer in particular - and has a strong debating team that has excelled at competition level.