The Coega Development Corporation’s (CDC) corporate social investment (CSI) driver training programme was today launched at the Fort Hare University in Alice with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the institution and the handover of a driver simulator.
This is the second university to benefit from the programme after the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha joined the programme last year. A state-of-the-art driver simulator was handed over to the university so that training of students, youth and the unemployed in the Alice area can benefit.
“This programme is meant to benefit those who find themselves in abject poverty and are part of the unemployed youth. Through this programme CDC hopes to play an integral role in up-skilling beneficiaries of the programme so that they become more employable by virtue of their skills set,” said Adv. Zuko Mapoma, CDC Executive Manager.
So far the programme has been implemented at 14 higher education institutions – both universities and further education and training (FET) colleges – with the expressed aim of benefiting the institution’s students by exposing them to this CDC flagship skills development programme.
The programme focuses on ensuring young and unemployed people have greater access to the job market by possessing an additional turnkey skill that will empower them over candidates who do not have a licence.
“It’s progressive of Coega to start this programme and quite innovative, I applaud them,” said Dr Mvuyo Tom, University of Fort Hare Vice Chancellor, addressing the future beneficiaries. “Students should grab this opportunity with both hands as it will benefit them in becoming employable. The country, every year, has several accidents and some of the reasons are as a result of a lack of skills in driving. We hope this programme will assist you to be able to up-skill yourselves.
“Having a driver’s license outside of a university environment is critical, becoming employable is key and obtaining your driver’s license will assist job seeking. Most of our students come from poor backgrounds and some of them can’t afford the cost that comes with driving schools. This simulator will assist them in ultimately getting their driving licenses.”
The driver simulator-based training assists beneficiaries to learn in a safe, simulated environment before venturing out onto the road. The simulator-based training has proved to be the programme’s game changer, with the CDC assisting over a 1000 beneficiaries in achieving their drivers’ licenses since the programme’s inception.
The CDC said it would in the near future implement the programme in the KZN region at two FET colleges – Umfolozi FET College in Empangeni and Elangeni FET College in Hammarsdale – as part of CDCs national footprint.
“As part of the CDC’s CSI strategy, our objective is to make sure any CSI programme is sustainable so as to assure longevity and to avoid short term gains,” said Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.
Coega spreads driver training programme to more Higher Learning Institutions
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Cockroach Problems in Flats Can Need a Building-Wide Response - 18 October 2026
- Top Click Explains Who Its SEO and Google Ads Service Is For - 17 October 2026
- Sky Dental Helps Sandton Plan Cosmetic Care Before December - 17 October 2026
- H2O Guru Offers SANS1657 Bottled Water Testing for Summer - 16 October 2026
- The Gold Avenue Flags the 91.67% Krugerrand Seller Mistake - 16 October 2026
