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| Above from Left: CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, Andrew Muir, Umzi Wethu student, Thabisile Nomatshila, eneral manager for environmental management in the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Albert Mfenyana and Absa CSI Representative, Andy de la Mare. |
The international award-winning Umzi Wethu programme was founded in 2006 by Andrew Muir, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation, and is one of the foundation’s flagship social intervention projects.
There are two Umzi Wethu academies in the Eastern Cape. The hospitality academy is based in Port Elizabeth, and students are trained for hospitality jobs in urban and rural establishments. They gain valuable practical experience at the on-site Conynghams Coffee Shop and Ray Mhlaba Conference Centre.
The conservation academy is based in Somerset East and focuses on training future conservation leaders as either field rangers or field guides.A third academy has recently been opened outside Cape Town.Over 95 per cent of graduates have been placed in jobs, according to Muir.
“Having a corporate sponsor like Absa on board takes the project to the next level, and lays the foundation for expansion into other regions and industries,” he says.
“Under the prevailing economic conditions, job prospects are only available to the most highly qualified. Many of the youth, who have been severely affected by abject poverty and HIV/AIDS, will never receive the opportunity for a higher education. As one of the poorest provinces, the Eastern Cape provides limited employment opportunities for young people,” says Mihloti Mathye, General Manager of Absa Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
”Through Absa’s partnership with the Wilderness Foundation, we know that the lives of these youngsters will be positively impacted. This will also have a ripple effect on their families who will also benefit from their job security,” says Mathye.
Aimed at displaced and socially vulnerable youth, the three Umzi Wethu academies train young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 for jobs in the hospitality and eco-tourism sectors.
Umzi Wethu harnesses the power of the wilderness, promotes personal wellness in a nurturing home context, provides credible training, and secures sustainable job placements in the hospitality and eco-tourism industry on behalf of the graduates.
“Essentially we are creating ambassadors for other vulnerable youth and orphans to look up to, and see a brighter future. Graduates from Umzi Wethu will serve as examples of opportunity and hope to both their own families and to the communities from which they come,” says Muir.
The project saw Muir honoured as an International Rolex Awards Laureate in 2008, as well as the South African Conservationist of the Year in 2007.
In July 2009, the Umzi Wethu hospitality academy extended its operations with the opening of its Catering Unit. Based in Port Elizabeth, the self-sustaining Catering Unit employs between three and five Umzi Wethu hospitality graduates on its staff and caters for various private and corporate events in the city. In its first year, turnover exceeded R800 000.
The highly skilled catering team (graduates from the Umzi Wethu Hospitality unit), offers a full range of services, for all types of functions including menu planning, high quality meal catering and event management.
Umzi Wethu’s ultimate success is measured by the number of graduates currently employed. Success is also seen in graduates who choose to further their education as this is another key to unlocking future financial independence.
The Umzi Wethu graduate job placement rate is 95%, job retention rate is between 80-85%. The jobs are well paid and support the graduates’ extended families. Further research into the success of the project over the last five years has revealed that 7-10% of graduates have either advanced to junior and middle management positions in eco-tourism industries, or have been enabled to pursue tertiary education.
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