Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute in the Eastern Cape hosted its May 2026 Graduation Ceremony to celebrate and confer qualifications on the Class of 2025.

The event was marked by pride and excitement as 163 graduates crossed the stage to receive qualifications across a range of programmes. Of these, 115 graduates were awarded NQF Level 6 qualifications, including Diplomas in Animal Production (38), Crop Production (26), Agribusiness (23), Forestry (22), and Agricultural Engineering (6). A further 48 graduates earned NQF Level 7 Advanced Diplomas, including Forestry Management (18), Animal Production (18), and Horticulture (12).

The ceremony celebrated the graduates’ hard work and achievement, while highlighting the Institute’s continued commitment to developing skilled professionals for the agricultural and forestry sectors.

The distinguished guests included the MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe; Chief Gayika of the Amangqika Traditional Council; Chief Zibi-Ahh Zanoxolo of the Mgwalana Traditional Council; and Prof Lisa Buwa-Komoreng, Chairperson of the Fort Cox Academic Board.

The CEO and Principal of the institute, Mkhululi Mankazana, congratulated the graduates, saying,
“Your perseverance has earned you the distinguished title of ‘graduate’. Go forth and be agents of positive change in your respective fields, communities, and the environment”.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr DF Bese, was the keynote speaker at the first session. “Today, you step forward not merely as field-expert practitioners, but as custodians of one of the earth's most complex and vital systems. Fort Cox has prepared you for a world in which the old boundaries between disciplines no longer hold. Foresters and agriculturalists of the 21st century must be ecologists, data scientists, community liaisons, entrepreneurs and policy architects, all at once”.

The second keynote speaker was Dr S. Ngqangweni, CEO of the National Agriculture Marketing Council. “Graduating from Fort Cox is not simply about earning a qualification. It marks entry into a rapidly evolving agricultural sector, where success depends on far more than production alone. I urge you to see your diplomas as a starting point. Embrace the realities of climate and market demands, and position yourselves as catalysts for inclusive growth and transformation in South Africa’s agricultural future”.

Top Achievers

Top achievers from the respective programmes were acknowledged, celebrated, and awarded a floating trophy, a certificate, and a cash voucher.

Advanced Diploma in Forestry Management

The top achiever was Ezile Kwakho Gqwede. When she registered for her forestry diploma, she knew little about the industry. Her studies and fieldwork deepened her interest and led her to pursue the Advanced Diploma in Forestry Management.

“My time at Fort Cox made it clear that forestry extends beyond timber and trees. It is fundamental to climate stability, water security, biodiversity conservation, and rural economic development. I entered Fort Cox uncertain and left with a commitment to contribute meaningfully to sustainable resource management”, she said. “

I look forward to the opportunity to apply my training in forestry management to support sustainable land use practices that benefit the environment and rural communities”.

Diploma Forestry Programme

Onako Mbali Dana was the institution’s top achiever, and her academic excellence was also recognised by the Southern Africa Institute of Forestry (SAIF).

“Raised by my grandmother in Lusikisiki, I developed strong values of respect, perseverance, and determination that have guided my personal and academic journey. Studying at Fort Cox enabled me to gain expertise in sustainable land-use practices, specialised harvesting systems, and forest economics,” she said.

“I am deeply grateful to Fort Cox for providing a conducive learning environment, and to my colleagues and family for their unwavering support. I am currently seeking employment opportunities to gain professional experience in the forestry and environmental sector, while expanding my knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and contributing positively to the sustainable development of the forestry industry”.

A word from a parent

Celebrating the graduation of Liphulaphule, Gaxela, her mother commented, “The graduation ceremony at Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute was excellent and filled with joy, pride, and excitement. Graduates looked beautiful in their gowns, and the choir added to the lively and memorable atmosphere”.