From left: Ms Senamile Dlangalala, Ms Ntathu Tlale, Mr Lawrence Nkosi, Ms Noxolo Nxumalo, Ms Nosisa Zaca and Ms Rechi Dlamini.Agricultural Economics Students Society Hosts Seminar
The Agricultural Economics Students Society (AESS) hosted its second seminar on the theme: “Raising Graduates for the Job Market: A Public Sector Perspective”.
Forthcoming AESS seminars will focus on the private sector perspective.
UKZN alumnus Ms Rechi Dlamini, who is the Acting Chief Operations Officer at the KwaZulu-Natal Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), organised the gathering.
Dlamini completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics at UKZN and has done postgraduate studies at various local and international institutions.
The seminar was attended by both undergraduates and postgraduate students in the Agricultural Economics Discipline, including students from Crop Science.
Dlamini spoke on her journey as an Agriculture Economist, the role of ADA in the agricultural sector, sector challenges and opportunities, and gave advice to students.
Ms Noxolo Nxumalo and Ms Ntathu Tlale, who accompanied Dlamini, also shared their experiences of working in the agricultural sector.
After the presentation, students had the chance to discuss with Dlamini how the ADA provides business support to emerging Black farmers, how the Agency gets young people involved in farming through an exchange programme they have with Dalum Academy of Agricultural Business which is a college based in Denmark, and what scholarships and internships are available.
A concerned student asked whether ADA had vacation work for students or volunteer opportunities. Dlamini replied that ADA was open to the suggestion and would investigate it in co-operation with the AESS.
AESS founder Mr Lungelo Cele thanked Ms Dlamini and her colleagues for the seminar and also for sharing their experiences and advice. He also thanked the AESS executive committee for making the seminar a reality and the students for attending and interacting with the guests.
‘When I start my own farm in the near future, I will make use of an organisation such as ADA. What I liked about Ms Dlamini is that she encouraged us to study further,’ said a student, Ms Nosisa Zaca.
* AESS aims to link students with workplace opportunities and to equip them with skills to be able to start their own businesses. This initiative was started to better understand the students’ goals and aspirations in the agricultural sector, particularly in agricultural economics. AESS shares scholarships and job opportunities on its Facebook page, and organises seminars and annual competitions for students.