We marked a momentous day at Nakambala, proudly hosting and sponsoring the inaugural Graduation Ceremony under our noval Supplier Development Programme

Our Managing Director, Mr. Oswald Magwenzi, congratulated the students that graduated in various trades including brick laying, plumbing, artisan electricians. These included 96 students who were awarded certification after completing training by the National Council for Construction (NCC) through a partnership under the Programme.

Offering a moving keynote address Mr Magwenzi, encouraged the graduates never to sell themselves short and instead continue to be the best they could be! He reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to its Vision and mission emphasizing our Social Development Agenda aimed at enhancing lives of our employees and the larger community. He pledged the Company’s continued commitment to being a good neighbour in the community and a responsible corporate citizen.

Among the graduates were individuals from 21 local contractors as well as those who had been contracted by Zambia Sugar a few years ago with support from the International Labour Organization-ILO, under the Lubombo Road Project focusing on developing road design methods that resulted development of road construction technologies for a resilient road ideal for rural communities.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony held at Nakambala House in Mazabuka, Wednesday, our Estates Support Services Director, Collins Phiri, commended the programme partners and students for the hard work and the programme’s unique approach of focusing on practical application which was gained on the houses that the Company is investing close to K300 million in renovating for its employees, beginning with the entry level ones. With a target of 700 houses, 46 houses have already been refurbished, while 150 more were yet to undergo renovation this year.

At the same event, NCC Executive Director, Professor Paul Makasa, highlighted the uniqueness of the tailor-made courses aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry. Prof. Makasa commended Zambia Sugar for the initiative.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Zambia Director, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, noted that the construction sector remains key in improving infrastructure to achieve effective delivery in our water, health and education sectors.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by several government officials, including the Mazabuka Municipal Council Town Clerk, Mrs Judith Mukwita Maambo who commended Zambia Sugar for upskilling the local contractors stating that this would positively impact the whole province and country in general especially that many Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Projects currently underway required local contractors with good practical skills.

Congratulations to all the graduates – don’t sell yourself short! We believe in your potential to achieve great things!