WSSD volunteer training nears completion

THE training of 5 000 volunteers for the World Summit on Sustainable Development is nearly complete. Over 3 000 have been trained since May. The Johannesburg World Summit Company (Jowsco) processed over 17 000 applications from all sectors of South African society from MD's and CEO's of top companies, professionals, students, youth, both skilled, unskilled and unemployed as well as the aged and the disabled. The volunteers are divided into two service groups, The SA Host Group is made up of 1 000 volunteers who will interact directly with the delegates in places like the airport, hotels, Summit venues, transport and Ubuntu Village. The rest of the volunteers will be deployed in various aspects of the Summit such as at information kiosks, the immigration help desk, call centres and translation services. Jowsco communications executive, Thandi Davids, said most of the volunteers come from the Gauteng Province and are studying tourism. The volunteers will be provided with a locally designed WSSD uniform. They will work in two shifts from 06h00 to 14h00 and 14h00 to 22h00, and will receive a R75 daily allowance, plus one meal and will be picked up from specific transport hubs to their various destinations. (Miguel de Sousa)