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Omnia Marketplace Academy (MPA), in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education, marked the graduation of twenty students from an innovative agricultural skills development program. The ceremony took place at Katlehong Engineering Specialisation School and Vosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship Specialisation School.

This graduation marks a significant milestone as it is the first group to complete the program since its launch in 2025. This innovative initiative integrates vocational agricultural training into the specialisation school model, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment. As a result, students can earn recognized industry agricultural credits while remaining in school.

Graduates completed a specialised crop production programme that includes units recognised by AgriSETA and aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The programme, implemented by the accredited training provider Employment Solutions Management (ESM) with support from MPA and financial backing from Omnia, combines classroom instruction with practical on-the-job training in agriculture. This initiative is part of Omnia's broader commitment to supporting food security, skills development, and economic integration across South Africa.

Commenting on the graduation, Stephan Serfontein, CEO of Omnia Group, noted that the unemployment challenge in South Africa continues to disproportionately affect youth. He stated: 'Through this partnership, students not only graduate with a matric certificate but also receive industry credits for further agricultural qualifications, enhancing their competitiveness and equipping them with practical, in-demand skills that can positively change lives, strengthen families, and uplift communities. Omnia is proud of its contribution to creating long-term positive social and economic impact.'

The MPA model strengthens leadership qualities, practical skills, and student learning outcomes while creating clear pathways from education to the world of work. Students undergo foundational and entrepreneurial training before moving on to specialised fields, including agriculture.

Mulder emphasized: 'Today's graduation reflects the value of equipping youth with practical skills that can open doors, support livelihoods, and contribute to building stronger, more food-secure communities.'

At Vosrand, the school garden has transformed into a small social enterprise that supplies fresh produce for the school feeding scheme, which serves approximately 1600 students daily, while generating additional income for the school. This initiative also encourages students to establish their own gardens, thereby promoting food security and self-sufficiency.

Similar results are being achieved in Katlehong, where the school garden supports a feeding programme catering to around 1000 students per day. Peter Arrends, Principal of Vosrand Commerce and Entrepreneurship Specialisation School, noted that the graduation signifies more than just a qualification. He said: 'It is about sowing seeds of hope, opportunity, and self-sufficiency that will continue to grow in the future. Through this programme, our students have acquired practical agricultural skills that can help them support themselves, their families, and their communities. We are nurturing farmers, entrepreneurs, and tomorrow's game-changers.'

If you have children aged 15 to 24 at home, and their conversations using new English slang expressions confuse you, you are not alone. These young people, born between 1997 and 2012, actively use new slang and abbreviations in communication.

These terms are not insults or incorrect words; rather, they are a unique coded language that has emerged due to the internet and social media. In the era of Instagram Reels, knowing the meaning of ten words such as 'Cooked', 'Rizz', 'Delulu', 'No Cap', 'Aura Points', 'Ghosting', 'Main Character Energy', 'Sus', 'Flex', and 'Bet' becomes necessary to understand youth communication.

1. Cooked means being in serious trouble. If a child says 'I am cooked', it is not related to cooking; it directly indicates that they have gotten into big trouble, messed up work, or made a mistake.

2. Rizz refers to charm or personal magic. This term originates from the word 'charisma' and is used when someone talks about a friend who possesses this quality, implying that this person is capable of quickly influencing others through their behavior and speech.

3. Delulu is an abbreviation of 'delusional' and means being in delusion or illusion. Friends might call someone 'Delulu' if they harbor hopes whose realization is extremely unlikely, i.e., building castles in the air.

4. No Cap is used to denote absolute truth, equivalent to phrases like 'I swear' or 'truth'. If young people state: 'This pizza was very tasty, no cap', it means they are speaking completely honestly.

5. Aura Points is an imaginary rating system for respect or style. When a young person does something smart or cool, they are awarded '+1000 Aura Points'; conversely, points are deducted for foolishness.

6. Ghosting means suddenly ending communication without explanation. If a child reports that their friend 'ghosted' them, it means that this friend unexpectedly stopped replying to messages and answering calls without any reason.

7. Main Character Energy describes the state of a person who behaves with complete confidence at an event, as if they are the main character of that place.

8. Sus is an abbreviation of 'suspicious' and means suspicion. If something or someone raises the slightest doubt, children immediately say: 'This matter seems a bit sus'.

9. Flex is demonstrative behavior. Young people use this term when showing off a new item on social media, such as a watch or phone, or demonstrating an achievement.

10. Bet is used to express agreement or confirm an arrangement. If you suggest going out for dinner with a child in the evening, and they simply reply 'Bet', it means 'agreed, we will definitely go'.

Knowing these ten expressions will help parents understand youth jargon, and communicating with children will stop seeming incomprehensible.

Parents and guardians of students enrolled in the municipal education network of Uberlândia, as well as those from partner Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), can now complete the re-enrollment for the 2027 school year exclusively online. This is the first time the process does not require physical attendance at the school unit.

The period to complete re-enrollments begins this Wednesday and runs until November 16th. The procedure is entirely digital and can be done through two channels: the City Hall's Citizen Portal or the municipal government's WhatsApp.

This change applies to students who are already registered and intend to remain in the municipal network. The purpose of this change is to simplify the process, allowing guardians to update data and confirm continued studies without leaving home.

How to re-enroll

To start the re-enrollment request, parents or guardians must access the Uberlândia City Hall's Citizen Portal or send a message to the WhatsApp number (34) 3239-2800, providing the following information:

• Student's school network code (available on the City Hall's UDI app)
• Student's date of birth
• Student's CPF
• CPF of one of the guardians or legal representatives registered at the school.

After sending the data, the request will undergo an analysis that takes up to 48 business hours. It is possible to track the status of the request using the same channel used for re-enrollment.

In-person Guidance

The Uberlândia City Hall also announced that those who encounter difficulties finalizing the re-enrollment through digital methods have the option to visit the secretariat of the school where the student is enrolled. This in-person support must be sought within the established deadline, which is until November 16th.

The municipality warned that failure to submit a request within this period may result in the loss of the spot for the 2027 school year.

Service Information

The municipal education network re-enrollment service has the following details: the deadline is from October 28th to November 16th, 2026; the target audience is students already enrolled in the municipal education network and partner CSOs; online access is made through the Uberlândia City Hall's Citizen Portal; and contact via WhatsApp can be made at the number (34) 3239-2800. The request analysis time is up to 48 business hours after submission.