Mpumalanga opens skills zone for South Africa’s energy transition

Sunday 8th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

South Africa’s Mpumalanga province has opened the first of three planned skills zones under the country’s energy-transition programme. The initiative will bring colleges, employers and government together to identify training needs and expand apprenticeships and internships.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela launched the zone on 29 October in Middelburg, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government said. A 6 November government account identified Nkangala Technical and Vocational Education and Training College as the lead institution and named Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete as participating municipalities.

Manamela said the province’s mining, electricity generation and petrochemical industries would continue to need skilled workers. The zone will also help workers retrain as industries change and identify opportunities for local entrepreneurs and smaller businesses, according to the provincial government.

The government described the zone as a way to match local training with the occupations employers need. Its provincial announcement outlined plans to improve training facilities and expand work experience but did not specify how many places would be available or when the first intake would begin.

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