Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, 5 August 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is venturing beyond road construction on the N2 Wild Coast Road Project, including introducing training for junior chefs, among its non-engineering interventions.
The N2 Wild Coast Road project, a R20-billion initiative, is more than just a road construction endeavour, it is a mission to build a legacy for the communities along its route. SANRAL is spearheading various community legacy programmes, ensuring that the benefits extend far beyond infrastructure development.
The pilot training programme for junior chefs is being undertaken on Package 5 of the N2 Wild Coast Road project, which entails construction of the road from Msikaba Bridge (North bank) to Mentu Bridge (South bank). This programme focuses on providing comprehensive culinary education and training, covering a range of cooking techniques, food preparation methods and kitchen management skills. Participants will gain expertise in professional kitchen operations, health and safety standards, and customer service. They will also receive hands-on experience in a professional kitchen environment, allowing them to apply their learned skills in real-world scenarios, supported by mentorship throughout the programme.
The junior chefs programme commenced in April and features ten participants selected through the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) from local communities impacted by the project. These local caterers are undergoing a comprehensive six-month culinary training designed to equip them with valuable skills that can unlock new employment opportunities and uplift the local economy around the Lusikisiki area.
“This training by SANRAL is intended to upskill the cooking skills of our local small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) who were already in the catering space. SANRAL has taken them out of ordinary catering and into the chefs’ space for them to be able to create different cuisines,” said Bongiwe Mzana, the facilitator of the junior chefs’ programme.
Nwabisa Gxumisa, Wild Coast District Office Manager, highlighted the broader community benefits of the programme. “The community is very excited. The training and the programmes that we are implementing, particularly the non-engineering initiatives within Package 5 and the Thahle and Khanyayo communities, have brought stability. People have noticed that they are benefiting from the N2 Wild Coast Road programme. This programme is not just about road construction; it goes beyond roads. Community members have opportunities to participate in various roles, whether it is through catering, laundry services or security services,” Gxumisa noted.
SANRAL’s commitment to community development is evident in its holistic approach, integrating infrastructure projects with initiatives aimed at socio-economic upliftment. The junior chefs’ training programme exemplifies SANRAL’s efforts to create a lasting positive impact in the regions it serves.
“I am so grateful to SANRAL for what they’ve done for me. Out of so many people, you chose me to benefit from this initiative. I hope that after our group completes its training, this opportunity will remain available for others to upskill and reach my level,” said Nobonke Nokeni, from the chefs training programme.
SANRAL’s dedication to fostering community growth and sustainability through such programmes underlines its role as a catalyst for both infrastructure and socio-economic development.
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