The final certification ceremony took place on 30 August 2016 at the Ritson Hall DUT. Speakers at the function included Paddy Kearney (GDT Chair); Kudzai Mqingwana (Sibaya Funding Manager); Geraldine Job (Dept. of Social Development Regional Coordinator); Professor Lortan (DUT, Head Community Engagement). The certification ceremony honoured the 93 practitioners from 5 areas in KwaZulu Natal (Folweni, Umlazi, Umzinto, Hammarsdale and Kwa Makutha) who completed the values education training course.
In her message of support, Kudzai Mqingwana (Sibaya Community Trust), acknowledged, firstly, the innovative project concept and model and, secondly, its tremendous successes thus far. In encouraging the current cohort of trained practitioners/caregivers to uphold and implement the programme’s values, she reminded them of their impact on the children and the commonly accepted understanding that children model the adults around them. “Often, the teacher is more important at home than parents, you create an incredible impact on our children, so, please be the champions of these values. Teach our children and let them come home and teach us these values so that good change can be seen at home.” Commenting on the collective responsibility to our communities, she said, “We want to see the spread of values, where you teach others to teach others. The way I am affects you; the way you are affects me, Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. Continue to be the good foundation for our children’s lives.”