First Cannabis Higher Education Course Receives Accreditation In Africa
Earlier this year, South Africa’s president signed a measure legalizing cannabis for private use by adults. With the law’s enactment, South Africa joined Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany in adopting a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure.
Recently cannabis education provider Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy launched its Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management. The cannabis education program is the first on the African continent to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). CHE is an internationally recognized accreditation body.
“It comes at the same time as Cheeba Africa has announced a partnership to bring its offering to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The economically-stressed province is hoping to see benefits from provincial government efforts to roll out an investment in the local medical cannabis industry that is expected to reach R1 billion over the next five years.” Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy stated in a press release obtained by the International Cannabis Business Conference.
“It has been a rigorous four-year journey for our Academy to reach this important accreditation milestone and we’re excited to set this benchmark in cannabis education by offering this powerful programme to potential cannabis entrepreneurs and workers. It is a proud moment for our industry, and for South Africa, as we lead the way in one of the most important sectors of our time. The emerging cannabis and hemp industry has so much potential to create sustainable and dignified livelihoods in South Africa, especially in some of our most underserved communities.” states Trenton Birch, CEO and co-founder of Cheeba Africa.
The new partnership that Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy has formed with the Township Cannabis Incubator (TCI) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape is a partnership that recognizes the significant potential of cannabis-related job creation and sustainable development in one of South Africa’s most rural and underserved provinces. Official unemployment rates in the Eastern Cape are above 40%, and the expanded unemployment rates are close to 50%. With 60% of the population living below the poverty level, it is recognized as one of the country’s poorest regions.
Since 2003, Training Force has delivered training to over 3,000 companies and upskilled thousands of workers across South Africa in various sectors.
“This collaboration strengthens our long-standing relationship with Cheeba, and we are excited to extend our footprint in the Eastern Cape, a region deserving of job creation and economic revitalisation.” Daniel Orelowitz, Managing Director of Training Force stated about the collaboration.
Cheeba Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management program is a 120-credit, NQF Level 5 qualification. The program will be offered at the Academy’s
flagship campus in Johannesburg making it easily accessible to students from other African countries and the world. This full-time, in-class experience which includes practical training is
designed to be one of the most unique cannabis learning opportunities in the world. Covering crucial topics such as medical cannabis, cultivation techniques, commercial operations, cannabis business, sustainable farming, futurism, and wellness, the Higher Certificate course equips students for various roles across the entire cannabis sector value chain.
The Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management education program will start in early 2025. Find out more at: www.cheebaafrica.com.