Welcome to the Newsroom Archives On this page, you will view news from the past months or years of happenings and events@orbit. Go to ORBIT News • ORBIT College Choir - Shining Star in NW • ORBIT College Students Flying to America • ISOE STATUS FOR ORBIT College • MEC's Public Service Awards Ceremony NW Premier honours ORBIT FET College ORBIT FET College has done it again! During the ceremony of the NW Premier's Public Service Excellence Awards 2008 held on 11 Dec 2008 at Mmabatho Convention Centre, ORBIT FET College achieved the bronze Award as the best performing programme. The Gold Award went to Ngaka Modiri Molema District - Department of Health, and the Central Regional Office - Department of Public Works obtained the Silver Award. “We are proud of this achievement as an educational institution. Being assessed with departments in the whole province is an accomplishment that shows how highly our College is rated. I thank all staff for the excellent teamwork exhibited”, said Ms Marais as she addressed the staff at the College re-opening meeting held on 21 Jan 2008. The Premiere's Public Service Excellence Awards competition, which is open to government departments and state-owned enterprises such as: Jaws: Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety; Department of Public Works; Invest North West; North West Development Corporation and others, has grown since its introduction five years ago. The popularity of these awards has seen the number growing from five categories in the last four years to ten this year. 'Phatsima! Shine!' was the theme of the glittering event reflecting the natural wealth of precious minerals, as well as the inner glow of the people of the NW Province. While addressing guests at the ceremony, the Acting NW Premier Mr Dimotana Thibedi applauded the efforts of civil servants and government departments and institutions in NW Province. “We are here to say we know that some among us are role models, trailblazers and pioneers whose work ethics and behavioural ethos are an inspiration to colleagues and an enhancement to the work of government and its service to the people of the North West Province”, Mr Thibedi told the guests. The staff of ORBIT FET College have been further inspired by the recognition and their devotion to serve the NW community has been renewed. ORBIT COLLEGE NOW A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE! The ETDP-SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices – Sector Education and Training Authority) has awarded ORBIT FET College the status of a Centre of Institutional or Sectoral Occupational Excellence (ISOEs). The main aim would be to produce appropriately qualified and skilled workers with excellent employment and career prospects that meet the skills and learning needs of the broader education and training sectors. ISOE-status also includes a grant that can be utilized to plan the establishment of the Centre of Excellence. The 8 selected centres were launched at a formal Gala Dinner that was held at Birchwood on 27 March 2008. An ISOE Certificate was handed over to College Management at this prestigious occasion.
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ORBIT FET College Choir – a shining star in NW After qualifying for the provincial rounds of the choir festival, in May this year, the ORBIT FET College Choir is determined to make it to the next level of the Old Mutual National Choir competitions. This is the most prestigious annual choir festival in South Africa, which is proudly celebrating thirty one years of Southern African choral music in 2008. Involved in developing South Africa's musical talent for the past 31 years, this annual event encourages and promotes choral excellence whilst providing great enjoyment to participants and audiences alike. The ORBIT FET College Choir, comprising students from all three Campuses: Brits, Mankwe, and Rustenburg, is the only Choir representing the Bojanala (Rustenburg) and Madibeng (Brits) and Moses Kotane (Mankwe) regions in the province. This is in addition to being the only FET Choir from NW taking part in the festival. The six-month-old choir composed of sixty strong talented and energetic members, made history by qualifying as a first-time entrant, at the auditions held in Ga-Rankuwa on 10 May- 2008. “Many choirs have auditioned for years without making it to the provincial rounds, but ORBIT FET College Choir made it at the first attempt. “This indicates the seriousness, potential and voice-quality of the members”, said Mr Lobeko the choir conductor. Directed by Mr Walter Lobeko, and Ms Alta Oberholzer, the Choir has participated in a couple of public performances during graduation ceremonies and concerts hosted by the College. On 5 October the Choir will perform at the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the provincial rounds of the Old Mutual Choir festival. Other performing choirs, in the standard category will include, amongst others: Passionate Choristers, Bafokeng Community Choir, NWU Serenaders, BTU Chorister. Mr Lobeko and Ms Oberholzer are confident that this well-disciplined and talented Choir will make it to the National Finals which will be held from 6 – 7 December at the Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane. ORBIT FET COLLEGE STUDENTS FLY TO AMERICA Two fortunate students, Ms Rose Rahube and Mr Meshack Ledwaba, of ORBIT FET College – Brits Campus, were recently selected to pursue their studies for at least one year in America. This great opportunity is part of the new international educational exchange programme which enables individuals from South Africa to study at a Community College in the United States to develop professional skills. Rose will attend a business management course at a Community College in Hawaii, while Meshack will attend electrical engineering studies in California. For both of them, it is their first time to fly, and travel out of South Africa. The two had to apply to the United States Embassy, for the programme, to be considered for selection. It was a very competitive application process which started in November 2007 with a series of interviews. Hundreds of students applied from all three FET Colleges, in the North West Province. Out of four students selected to go to America from the province, two are representing ORBIT College. The U.S exchange programme will provide funding for the students' round-trip airfare to and fro the U.S, living allowance, tuition costs and additional cultural activities. Rose and Meschack will be required to return home at the end of their study programme. Although the study programme runs up to two years, they have both opted to study for one year. On 11th June 2008, the eve of their departure to America, Brits Campus organised a farewell ceremony for them, together with their parents. During the ceremony, they were urged to be good ambassadors of ORBIT College, their families, and South Africa. They in turn thanked the staff who supported them towards this achievement, notably Ms Milene Balt, Ms Evelyn Kgampe and Ms Ethel Ngwato, and the Senior Management of ORBIT College. When asked what plans they have after the study programme, Rose said, “I intend to start a small business when I return, and to volunteer in the Community.” “I shall start a maintenance company in Brits after my studies”, said Meshack.
Photo Caption: Ms Rose Rahube on the left, Mr Thabang Dhlamini in the middle (Student Support Manager) and Mr Meshack Ledwaba on the right during the farewell ceremony at Brits Campus on the eve of their departure to the U.S |
Revised 20 November 2009 |
