WSLM, ELIDZ & Ikhala TVET College unlock creative potential
Story: Relebohile Mxhosana | Photo: Relebohile Mxhosana
ELIDZ (East London Industrial Development Zone), in collaboration with Walter Sisulu Local Municipality (WSLM) and Ikhala TVET College, recently hosted a three-day hands-on workshop focused on Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), and game development. The event targeted unemployed youth, offering practical training designed to help them explore interests, build skills, and create their own opportunities.
The workshop featured project showcases and a certificate handover ceremony. Participants demonstrated their design work and the games they developed, highlighting the program’s emphasis on practical, experiential learning. Attendees had the chance to work on personal projects, refining their skills and gaining confidence in their abilities.
By equipping participants with CAD design and 3D printing capabilities, as well as game development know-how, the program aimed to empower unemployed youth to explore business opportunities in these cutting-edge fields. The certificate handover ceremony celebrated the participants’ dedication and marked the formal conclusion of the program.
Akhona Gudumane, one of the participants, remarked on the program, “I found this program fascinating, as it’s the first time we’ve had access to it in Maletswai. The animation feature allowed us to create our own games, similar to those we play on our cell phones. Our work has been stored on iCloud, which will enable the whole world to access and play these games, while we can also access them again. Furthermore, it has the potential to generate income. What I find most interesting is the opportunity to create my own game.”
In addition, Mayor Cllr Vania Davids emphasized, “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between industry, government, and education to unlock opportunities for our youth. By combining CAD, 3D printing, and game development, we’re not only building technical skills but also fostering entrepreneurship and innovation that can drive local economic growth.”
Overall, the workshop succeeded in empowering young people with practical skills and knowledge in CAD, 3D printing, and game development. The projects showcased the participants’ creativity and potential, signaling promising prospects for future growth in these technologies.