The SANDF recruitment drive hits the Ekurhuleni West College

By: Kgabo Mashamaite
Photos by Sgt Elias Mahuma
Posted 01 October 2012

Over 3 500 graduates and learners from the Ekurhuleni West College (EWC), Kempton Campus are now empowered and are in better position to understand the role and functions of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

This comes after the SANDF accepted an invitation to present various career opportunities to the college youth over the period 26 and 27 September 2012 in Kempton Park during the Job Fair, the institution’s career opportunity period, where job seekers and graduates are introduced to the world of employment opportunities and to enable the potential employers to recruit the best talent from the college.

At the moment, the SA Army is on a recruitment drive with the youth in possession of a grade 12 with a good pass in mathematics and science subjects and for graduates with a N6 National Certificate in Engineering vocational training field in its sights to be trained in various technical mustering corps.

During her presentation at the campus, Lt Pinky Mthembu of the SA Army Human Resources explained the recruitment process for the SA Army on the technical mustering marketing drive.

“Aspirant members should have obtained a good pass of mathematics and science in grade 12 subjects, should be criminal clear and be between 18 to 22 while the graduates should have obtained N6 National Certificate with Engineering subjects and be between the age of 18 to 30 years. They should also be mentally and physically fit because should they become successful in their applications, they will be required to undergo a Basic Military Training and be offered a two-year contract.” Lt Mthembu said.

In thanking the institution for affording the SANDF a recruitment opportunity, Brig Gen Betty Leslie, Director HR Separation said that the gesture is also to respond to the government’s call of creating job opportunities to young people in the country.

“As a government institution, the SANDF is responding to a clarion call by President Jacob Zuma of job creation. For the past two days we have been witnessing a high rate of unemployed on our youth with degrees and diplomas and it is for this reason that we joined other state departments and partners in private sector to defeat unemployment within our youth.” Brig Gen Leslie said.

According to Mr David Muleele, the EWC Kempton Campus Senior Marketing Officer, the youth should be empowered to become entrepreneurs to try and alleviate poverty and joblessness among the youth. Mr Muleele also said that the institution is thinking of making the event a permanent feature on its career calendar, after measuring the success of the first ever job fair in the past two days. He also thanked all presenters and potential employers for opening employment avenues to their graduates and learners.