Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe, congratulated the Tourism Buddies at a graduation ceremony held at the Indoor Sports Centre in Motse Thabong, Welkom, Free State on June 6.

The Tourism Buddies Programme is a hospitality training programme targeting the unemployed youth of South Africa as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme of the Department of Tourism.

Over 80 trainees were awarded certificates after completing a 12-month learnership programme.

“Our department is committed to addressing youth unemployment through the Working for Tourism programme, which will create 3 347 full-time equivalent jobs in both infrastructure and skills development programmes in this financial year,” said Thabethe.

Key objectives of the training programme include the training of unemployed youth to enable them to acquire necessary skills in the area of hospitality, assisting them to gain work experience to enhance employability in the hospitality and tourism sector as well as contributing towards reducing the unemployment rate in the country.

“To the beneficiaries of this programme, you have to ensure that you make us proud because the industry is yours. As a country we have developed values to make sure that the integrity of the country is polished. As you serve people visiting our country, it is important to display values such as respect,” said Councillor Sebenzile Ngangelizwe, Executive Mayor of Lejweleputswa Municipality.