“It’s been four long and rigorous years, bro’” says Cheeba founder Trenton Birch (pictured above) commenting on the time it’s taken for the organization to be officially recognized as a qualified education service provider. Now that the endless paperwork tussle with bureaucracy has been won, Cheeba will officially launch the course in Gauteng early next year.

The breakthrough came last week when the Council on Higher Education (CoH), an internationally recognized accreditation body, contacted Cheeba with the good news that its Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management course was now registered.

For Cheeba this is a game-changer, but the recognition is also beneficial for the industry as it sets a standard of qualification that will also serve as an international benchmark.  As the African cannabis sector matures, such a qualification will be set the tone for future career paths and salary scales.

“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 and engage with the complexities of developing a lucrative and inclusive cannabis industry ” says Birch. “The plant has so much potential to create sustainable and dignified livelihoods in South Africa, especially in some of our most underserved communities.

“And we’re excited to set this benchmark in cannabis education by offering this powerful programme to potential cannabis entrepreneurs and workers.”

Cheeba Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management programme is a 120 credit, NQF Level 5 qualification. This is the first cannabis course to be internationally recognized on the African continent and comes at the same time as Cheeba has announced a partnership with the Township Cannabis Incubator  (TCI) to begin cannabis courses in (to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.

A statement from Cheeba says the Higher Certificate programme “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 a variety of roles across the entire value chain”.

The Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management education programme will start in early 2025. Enquire now at www.cheebaafrica.com.