The National Skills Fund (NSF) has committed R775 million to expand youth access to post-school education and training in the Eastern Cape.
The investment operationalise four NSF-funded programmes that include learnerships, skills programmes, and internships in priority sectors such as data science, agriculture, and engineering.
The NSF investment was announced by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) director-general, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, in his message of support at the Provincial Youth Commemoration and Skills Development Investment Launch held on 16 June 2024 at the Moko Grounds Complex in Debe Nek.
Dr Sishi acknowledged the provincial partners of the DHET and its entities that widen the doors to learning and education.
He explained that the department had a constitutional obligation to provide access to education, specifically adult and post-schooling opportunities, and to develop skills that promote inclusive growth.
In implementing this constitutional and legislative imperative, Dr Sishi highlighted the work of the NSF and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta) in expanding post-school education and training in the province.
For instance, the NSF is contracting four implementing partners — Lui Agri, Proffecto Consulting, the Eastern Cape government (through the Premier’s Office), and Mtshanyane Development Trust — to implement NSF-funded programmes that will support 6 350 individuals.
In Buffalo City, Lui Agri, will train 2 050 beneficiaries in plant and animal production. Proffecto Consulting will support 300 beneficiaries in developing data science capabilities in the OR Tambo and Chris Hani district municipalities.
The Eastern Cape government, through the Office of the Premier, will implement a work-integrated learning and internship programme that will benefit 3 800 people across the province. Mtshanyane Development Trust will implement an agricultural skills programme and promote entrepreneurship to support 200 beneficiaries in the Chris Hani District.
The director-general also highlighted Merseta’s long-standing history of discretionary skills development grants in the Eastern Cape province.
In the 2024/25 financial year, Merseta committed R216 million, including historical debt funding, to students at the Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu, and Rhodes universities and eight technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
The Merseta support includes 50 bursaries over three years; funding for 200 apprenticeships; support to the Ikhala and King Hintsa TVET colleges with tools and equipment; funding skills programmes for 1,500 learners; funding 150 artisan recognition of prior learning beneficiaries; and funding a work-integrated learning programme for 200 TVET students and 200 graduates.
Led by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, the Eastern Cape Provincial Youth Commemoration and Skills Development Investment Launch was attended by approximately 5 000 people, including young people, government officials, and religious, business, and political leaders. This year’s youth commemoration theme is “Actively advancing the socioeconomic gains of our democracy”.
In his keynote address, Premier Mabuyane said that “to honour the youth of 1976, it is our collective responsibility to address the pressing challenges affecting today’s youth. Chief among these is the scourge of unemployment.”
Mabuyane said his provincial government was determined to support the Eastern Cape’s youth, stating that they deserve a committed and enabling environment to thrive.
He announced R5,7 billion in new initiatives for 20 000 young beneficiaries in the Eastern Cape, which will be implemented by government departments, municipalities, the NSF, and sector education and training authorities (SETAs).
By: Khanyisa Ngewu and Andisiwe Mkoyana
