By Sivuyisiwe Hombile

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, launched her office’s Matric Support Programme, a bold initiative designed to bridge the information gap for rural learners navigating their post-school futures. The programme officially kicked off in the Eastern Cape, beginning at Mthingwevu High School in Cofimvaba on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, before moving to Jiba High School in Lusikisiki the following day. Speaking to packed school halls of eager Grade 12 learners, Dr Gondwe positioned the programme as part of her broader vision to make higher education more accessible and bring it directly to communities often left out of national conversations about opportunity.

In collaboration with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Old Mutual, and the National Skills Fund (NSF), the programme is primarily aimed at assisting matric learners, particularly those in rural areas, to access information on higher education, study options, and funding opportunities before entering the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

District Director of the O.R. Tambo Coastal District Department of Education (ORTCD), Dr Bongie Peyana, praised the programme’s reach and relevance, noting the district’s strong academic culture and commitment to challenging learners beyond basic curriculum

requirements. “We pride ourselves in producing learners who take on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. Our focus is on creating scholars ready to thrive in competitive academic spaces,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Gondwe shared her heartfelt sentiments: “To the young women here today, you are not just the future, but also the present. You are capable of being doctors, scientists, engineers, leaders, CEOs, professors, and anything else you can imagine. Do not allow anyone to convince you that your role in life is to sit quietly or to wait for someone else to shape your destiny. You are powerful enough to shape your own destiny and path in life. And to the young men, we need you to rise and lead with integrity and respect.”

Turning specifically to the young men, Dr Gondwe stressed the importance of leadership rooted in integrity and respect. “A strong man is not the one who dominates or controls, but the one who uplifts and protects those around him.”

She reminded all learners that education is not merely a path to personal achievement, but a tool for breaking cycles of generational poverty.

At the conclusion of the events, the office of the Deputy Minister and programme organisers distributed gifts and memorabilia to the learners, including learning support materials and personal hygiene products.

The NSF and NSFAS were present to exhibit and provide advice on the best way forward for matriculants, who need as much guidance as possible during this critical period. This was yet another valuable initiative to position the NSF towards skilling the nation.

The Matric Support Programme will continue to roll out across other provinces, targeting schools in underserved districts where post-school education often feels like a distant dream. For the learners of Cofimvaba and Lusikisiki, however, that dream may now feel just a little closer.