Kgetleng River Municipality (Swartruggens) is a growing rural community with many young people who want to study, gain skills, and improve their lives — but they have to travel long distances to access vocational training. This creates financial barriers that many families cannot overcome.

We, the residents of Kgetleng River Municipality and nearby villages, are calling for the establishment of a Skills Development Centre or a satellite campus of ORBIT TVET College in our area.

A Skills Centre will:

Give youth access to courses like electrical work, plumbing, welding, ICT, office administration, hospitality, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Reduce unemployment and poverty.

Empower young people with practical skills they can use to work or start businesses.

Strengthen the local economy and uplift the entire community.

Reduce long-distance travel and transport costs to Rustenburg, Mankwe or Brits campuses.

Who we are addressing:

Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality(swartruggens) 

North West Department of Education (NW DoE)

ORBIT TVET College Management

We request:

1. A feasibility study to assess demand and possible locations.

2. Identification of a suitable building or land in Kgetleng River.

3. A partnership between the municipality, NW DoE, and ORBIT TVET to establish and run the centre.

4. Engagement with the community through public participation meetings.

This petition represents the voice of our community.

We believe skills development can break the cycle of unemployment and bring hope to the youth of Swartruggens and nearby villages 

By signing this petition, you support bringing education and opportunities closer to home. Together, we can make this project a reality.

I am a qualified teacher I have worked and did my practicals in our nearby schools. Every day I see learners who are in upper grades but still cannot read or write at the level they should. These learners are not disabled or incapable — when you give them a project to do at home, they come back with impressive work, creativity, and potential.

Their real challenge is lack of access to proper support, resources, and further skills development opportunities. Many of these children later become teenagers who drop out because they feel discouraged, and they have nowhere to go to improve their practical skills. A Skills Development Centre in Swartruggens would give them a second chance — a place where they can learn trades, build confidence, and create a future for themselves.

This is personal to me because I teach these children. I know their potential, and I believe they deserve opportunities that are closer to home. This centre would change lives and uplift our community.