By Palesa Ndinisa
The Nation’s Shield, which is a security training centre based in Wattvile, Benoni founded by Tshepo Thavhiwa would like established businesses to comply with Corporate Social Investment (CSI)/ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by supporting their apprenticeship program through providing them with funding.
The apprenticeship program teaches people about safety and security training. The Nation’s Shield has collaborated with The World Against Youth Unemployment Foundation- an organisation that is combating unemployment in surrounding communities by finding job placements, internships, skill and development programs and learnerships to the youth. This is merely done to ensure that there is growth in the community. The apprenticeship training is for a month and gives certification to participants thereafter. Subsequently, the aim is that participants can apply for employment and change their lives for the better.
“We would like to call upon companies that are interested in doing CSI work to help us create security employment opportunities for our communities. So far, we have Sunbake and Ekurhuleni Municipality on our side. We are undoubtedly hoping for more funders,” explained Thavhiwa. The founder furthermore stated that the requirement to get the apprenticeship is a South African ID and there is no age restriction. Thavhiwa expressed that he anticipates that the program will have two hundred participants by the end of the year and have at least ten funders. “We have a number of beneficiaries so far. Currently, we have one of our own deployed to the Northern Cape to render a service of Supervision and Close Protection Training.
Our first batch was a collaboration with Planact (Social Employment Fund) program. We deployed patrollers in Wattvile combating crime. We handed them certificates in alignment to their practical expertise because they used to patrol, just not with proper training, therefore it made sense to start with them to ensure that they have have certificates, so that they can be able to seek employment rightfully,” uttered Thavhiwa.
Godfrey Nkadimeng, a patroller in Wattvile circuit number three explained that he met The Nation’s Shield while patrolling. “I’ve learned so much from The Nation’s Shield. I now have so much knowledge about patrolling and I know the importance of treating my community with respect and dignity. I become one of the first candidates to benefit and I acquired my EBDC certificate.
At the moment, I’m still a patroller. I’m waiting for a certificate that formalises that I’m registered with the National Security of South Africa. After I receive this certificate, I’ll make sure I apply in big companies,” expressed Nkadimeng.
