Zithobeni local Precious Majeni (19), a second year Mechanical Engineering student at University of Cape Town (UCT), spent her December-January vacation period gaining practical work experience by doing an internship at Canyon Coal’s Khanye Colliery, in Bronkhorstspruit.

Precious started her internship on 21 November 2019 and completed it on 24 January 2020, where after she returned to UCT to commence her third year of study.

“I believe this vacation apprenticeship is going to help me a lot because it is different from sitting in a classroom and being told about bearings, for example, as opposed seeing for myself how they work. Seeing how things really work is the best way to learn and understand how machines operate. This opportunity has aided me in building upon what I have learnt at university,” she says.

In Zithobeni, where Precious lives, there is a forum that works with the companies in the area to provide work and educational opportunities for young people. “I had been looking for vacation work since I was in first year. However, I discovered that I had been going to the wrong people. I was then advised to apply to the Zithobeni Community Forum to assist me in getting vacation work at one of the local mines. The forum put me in touch with Menar Group Social Licensing Manager Xolile Mankayi about doing vacation work at Khanye and upon applying, l was given an opportunity to do the internship during my vacation period.”

“I am very appreciative to Canyon Coal for affording me with the opportunity to gain work experience and develop a better understanding of the mining sector,” concludes Precious.