By EsméNortjé

Across South Africa, a persistent problem is holding back economic growth. Industries are struggling to fill important roles, yet thousands of experienced professionals are stuck in junior positions.

These workers have spent years mastering their jobs, but they cannot move up because they lack the specific formal certificates that many companies demand. This creates a gap where the talent required to solve complex problems already exists, but remains unaccredited and underused.

ALSO READ: Lucky Dube school of performing arts opens in Mpumalanga

Moving beyond traditional pathways

Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL, is a strategic way to solve this problem. It is a structured process that identifies, assesses, and formalises the skills people have gained through years of work, informal training, and life experience. In matching this real-world experience against the requirements of national qualifications, RPL provides a legitimate and faster path to professional certification.

This is not about skipping academic standards. It is about acknowledging that learning happens in many places. Whether knowledge was gained through years of financial management or hands-on industrial experience, RPL ensures that this expertise is recognised with a formal certificate.

Clearing up common misconceptions

The uptake of RPL is often slowed by common misunderstandings. One major myth is that RPL is a shortcut or an easy way to get a qualification. In reality, the opposite is true. A credible RPL process is demanding. It requires candidates to provide solid, verifiable evidence of their skills. It often requires more effort and reflection than traditional classroom learning.

There is also a fear that RPL might lower the value of professional qualifications. This is not the case. Once a qualification is earned through RPL, it is identical to one earned through a traditional course. The final certificate carries the same weight, the same regulatory standing, and the same professional value.

Finally, it is important to remember that RPL is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every person has a different career history. Because of this, the assessment process must be customised to look at each individual’s specific experience and match it to national standards.

 Driving compliance and career growth across industries

While the benefits of RPL are highly visible in regulated industries like financial services, real estate, and business, it is a tool for every sector of the economy. From manufacturing and retail to the creative arts and hospitality, any individual who has gained skills on the job or in the real world can benefit.

In regulated fields, RPL is a vital bridge for meeting strict compliance rules, allowing experienced individuals to align their years of practice with official standards without having to stop their careers to complete basic academic modules.

ALSO READ: Gauteng to take over OWLAG campus as Winfrey expands scholarship programme

However, in less regulated industries, the impact is just as significant. It provides a way for skilled artisans, technical workers, and service professionals to prove their competence and move into supervisory or management roles. More than compliance, RPL is a universal tool for career growth. It provides a sense of professional dignity that is often denied to those who built their careers outside of the university system.

When a worker finally receives a certificate that reflects their true job responsibilities, the impact on their confidence and career path is immediate. It makes faster promotions possible and gives employees the credentials they need to succeed in a competitive job market. It unlocks the potential that has been sitting in junior roles for far too long, regardless of the industry.

Building a stronger skills ecosystem

Making RPL a standard part of South Africa’s skills strategy requires a team effort across three areas. First, policymakers and professional bodies must treat experience-based learning with the same respect as traditional theory.

The focus should always be on what a professional can actually do in a high-pressure environment. Second, the responsibility for quality falls on accredited institutions. As interest in RPL grows, it is essential that candidates partner with institutions that have the expertise to guide them through the complex process of gathering evidence.

Third, employers must look at their existing staff with a fresh perspective. Companies that invest in the RPL journey of their employees are not just offering a benefit; they are securing their own future by creating clear paths for succession.

When a business follows structured hiring practices while embracing the formal recognition of existing skills, it builds a more loyal and capable workforce. The ability to drive the South African economy forward is already present within our own organisations. Embracing a rigorous, outcomes-based approach to recognising prior learning means that we can formalise this expertise and ensure that our workforce is ready for the future.

Esmé Nortjé is HET Academic Manager at Chartall Business College.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Mpumalanga government has officially opened the Lucky Dube Secondary School of Performing Arts, the province’s first no-fee public secondary school dedicated to performing arts, in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality.

The institution is named in honour of the late South African reggae legend, who was born in Ermelo. Dube was shot and killed by three gunmen in 2007 while dropping off one of his children in the Rosettenville suburb of Johannesburg.

Speaking at the official handover on Monday, Mpumalanga Education MEC Lindi Masina said the school marked a significant milestone in expanding access to specialised arts education while investing in the future of young people.

ALSO READ: South African learners crack world’s top 10 as country records best-ever spelling bee finish

Masina said the institution honours Dube’s legacy as one of South Africa’s most celebrated international musicians.

“We gather in Ermelo, the birthplace of an international icon whose voice carried the hopes of ordinary people across continents and whose music became a powerful instrument for justice, unity, peace and human dignity,” she said.

She said the school reflected government’s commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education and opportunities to develop their talents.

“This magnificent institution stands as tangible evidence that democracy continues to transform lives through education. It demonstrates the commitment of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government to building a society in which every child, regardless of background or circumstance, is afforded an equal opportunity to realise their God-given potential,” Masina said.

She described the school as both an educational and economic development initiative that would contribute to youth empowerment while supporting South Africa’s goals of inclusive economic growth and job creation.

“This school is therefore an economic and youth empowerment development project,” she said.

Masina thanked the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, led by MEC Thulasizwe Thomo, for delivering what she described as a world-class institution.

“You have built a stage upon which generations of dreams will perform,” she said.

The Education Department, she said, would continue investing in specialised music equipment, recording studios, performance venues, dance facilities, creative technologies, learning resources and industry partnerships to ensure learners receive world-class training.

“We commit ourselves to ensuring that this institution becomes one of the finest Schools of Performing Arts in South Africa,” she said.

ALSO READ: Grey College beats Grey High 59-26 in Bloemfontein derby

Masina also thanked the Dube family for supporting the project.

“His name no longer belongs only to history; it belongs to the future. It belongs to every learner who will discover a hidden talent inside these classrooms. It belongs to every child who will dare to dream beyond their circumstances,” she said.

As the province’s first no-fee public performing arts school, the institution will provide specialised training in music, dance, drama and other creative disciplines.

Masina said learners would be equipped for careers as composers, producers, actors, dancers, choreographers, directors, sound engineers, stage technicians and creative entrepreneurs.

Reflecting on Dube’s legacy, she said his journey from Ermelo to international success demonstrated that talent could flourish regardless of one’s background.

“From this school shall emerge many more voices. Perhaps the next international recording artist, the next award-winning actor,” she said.

“It is for this reason that this day is about much more than infrastructure; it is about possibility.”

She said the school would help nurture a new generation of artists capable of representing Mpumalanga, South Africa and the continent on the global stage.

“Happy Birthday, posthumous Lucky Dube. May your legacy continue to inspire us to educate with purpose, to create with courage, and to serve with humility,” Masina said.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Gauteng Department of Health started its latest Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on Monday, targeting eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine and older at participating primary schools.

“The campaign, which forms part of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), will run from 3 August 2026 to 9 October 2026 at participating independent primary schools across Gauteng,” the department said.

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“Thereafter, vaccination teams will visit outstanding public primary and special schools to reach eligible learners who may have been missed during the earlier campaign, as the majority of public schools were covered during the rollout conducted earlier this year.”

The campaign also includes eligible learners who missed previous vaccination opportunities.

The routine school vaccination programme provides a single HPV vaccine dose to eligible Grade 5 girls. National guidance recommends an additional dose for learners living with HIV or with other immunocompromising conditions.

Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in South Africa after breast cancer, but many cases can be prevented through HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening.

“HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. While more than 200 types of HPV exist, types 16 and 18 are responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer cases,” the department said.

“The HPV vaccine used in the public health programme, Cervarix, is safe and highly effective in protecting against these high-risk strains.”

The department said its HPV vaccination programme achieved substantial reach across public and independent schools during the 2025/26 implementation period.

Of 1,500 targeted public schools, vaccination teams reached 1,498 and vaccinated 72,249 Grade 5 girls.

In the independent-school sector, teams reached 530 of the 664 targeted schools, or 79.8%, and vaccinated 9,740 Grade 5 girls.

“Public schools recorded a learner coverage rate of 80%, compared to 37.7% in independent schools,” the department said.

“Several challenges affected vaccine uptake, particularly in independent schools.

These included schools declining access to vaccination teams, learner absenteeism on vaccination days, which affected 1,830 learners, and the non-return of 24,327 parental consent forms.”

ALSO READ: Mlambo-Ngcuka honoured by University of Warwick for global leadership

The department said misinformation and vaccine hesitancy also contributed to lower vaccination rates at some schools.

The Gauteng departments of health and education have since strengthened engagement with schools and communities and intensified public education efforts to improve participation and vaccine uptake.

“A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that South Africa’s school-based HPV vaccination programme reduced infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18 by 83% among young women, including those living with HIV,” the department said.

“The findings demonstrate the substantial public health benefits of achieving high HPV vaccination coverage.”

The research compared the prevalence of HPV types 16 and 18 among 17- and 18-year-old girls before and after the introduction of South Africa’s earlier two-dose school vaccination programme. It found that the prevalence of the two strains was 83% lower in the post-vaccination cohort, with similar benefits among girls living with and without HIV.

The department said the success of the latest campaign depended on parental and community support.

Learners under the age of 12 require consent from a parent, guardian or caregiver. Children aged 12 and older may consent to medical treatment when they are sufficiently mature and have the capacity to understand its benefits, risks and implications.

“Parents and guardians are urged to read the information provided by schools, complete the consent forms, and return them promptly to ensure eligible learners do not miss the opportunity to receive protection against cervical cancer,” the department said.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

University of Johannesburg (UJ) Chancellor, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Warwick, Coventry in the United Kingdom, in recognition of her exceptional global leadership in advancing gender equality, sustainable development and social justice.

A distinguished Warwick alumna, UJ said earlier this week that Mlambo-Ngcuka has dedicated her career to championing women’s rights and inclusive development.

“She previously served as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, as well as Deputy President of South Africa, where she played a pivotal role in shaping policies that promoted equality, education, and economic empowerment,” the university said in media statement.

“Her decades of public service and advocacy have helped influence legal reform and expand opportunities for women across the world.”

The university expressed that the honorary degree celebrates Mlambo-Ngcuka’s lifelong commitment to building more inclusive societies and her leadership in spearheading global initiatives that promote gender equality and sustainable development.

It also added that the occasion marked a historic milestone for the University of Johannesburg, with UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, becoming the first visiting Vice-Chancellor from another university to be invited to join the University of Warwick’s official academic procession.

“The distinction reflected the strength of the growing partnership between UJ and Warwick and underscored the mutual respect shared by the two universities,” the university said.

Reflecting on the recognition, Mlambo-Ngcuka said she is deeply honoured to receive this accolade from her alma mater, adding that it is a testament not only to her personal journey but also to the collective efforts of many who continue to fight for equality and justice.

“At UJ, we place great importance on North–South collaboration, ensuring that partnerships with institutions in the Global North create equal opportunities and meaningful impact for the African continent and beyond,” Mlambo-Ngcuka said.

Congratulating the UJ Chancellor, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Mpedi said the award reflected both Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka’s exceptional legacy and the values that define the University.

““We are immensely proud of Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka’s recognition by the University of Warwick. Her lifelong commitment to advancing gender equality, education and social justice embodies the very values that UJ stands for. This Honorary Doctorate not only celebrates her remarkable achievements but also strengthens the ties between our institutions, reinforcing the importance of North–South collaboration in creating equal opportunities and driving meaningful global impact,” said Mpedi.

The university emphasised that this recognition further deepens the longstanding relationship between UJ and the University of Warwick, underscoring their shared commitment to academic excellence, equity, and international collaboration.

It also said that the award comes just weeks before the inaugural Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Annual Lecture, scheduled for 12 August 2026 at UJ, to be delivered by Thenjiwe Mtintso, as part of UJ’s ongoing effort to promote discussions on gender equality, leadership, and social justice.

“The 2026 lecture coincides with the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March, when more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against the extension of pass laws to women,” the university said.

“The march remains one of the defining moments in South Africa’s democratic history and a lasting symbol of courage, solidarity, and the transformative role of women in society.”

Through this annual lecture, UJ said it aims to celebrate women’s leadership in tackling critical societal issues, showcase impactful work by women within and outside the university, strengthen its commitment to gender equality and inclusivity, and foster collaboration between academia, civil society, and public institutions.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Primestars eduCate Maths & Science Revision Programme, supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), will be expanded to include Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners in an effort to intervene earlier and reduce the number of learners dropping Mathematics and Physical Sciences before reaching Matric.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 eduCate Maths & Science Revision Programme at Cell C’s head office in Johannesburg on Thursday, Deputy Higher Education and Training Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the partnership between DHET and Primestars demonstrated the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector.

“When companies invite learners and students into their offices, laboratories, workshops and boardrooms, they are not simply being generous; they are helping to build a curriculum that speaks the language of the real economy and giving young people a taste of the working world long before they ever apply for their first job,” Dube-Ncube said.

“This is the kind of partnership that government cannot build alone, and it is exactly the kind of partnership we want to see grow across every industry in this country.”

Dube-Ncube said the empty chairs displayed at the event had been placed deliberately to symbolise Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners who have the potential to become engineers, doctors, scientists, technicians and entrepreneurs, but who abandon Mathematics and Physical Sciences before completing school.

“When a learner drops Mathematics or Physical Sciences in Grade 10, they do not only close a door for themselves. They close a door that our whole economy needs open,” she said.

“Somewhere between today and their final exam, they walk away from the very subjects that could have opened the most doors for them.”

She said this was the reason for expanding the programme to reach learners earlier.

“Instead of only supporting learners in the final stretch towards Matric, it will now begin reaching Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners too – catching learners earlier, before they are ever tempted to give up on Mathematics and Physical Sciences,” she said.

“That means fewer empty chairs in the years still to come.”

Dube-Ncube said Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects were essential to developing the skills needed to build infrastructure, improve healthcare, strengthen food security, connect communities and solve complex societal challenges.

“A country that produces enough scientists, engineers and skilled technicians can build its own future rather than waiting for others to do it,” she said.

The deputy minister said South Africa must also prepare young people for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and data technologies, while remaining focused on ensuring technology serves society.

“Technology should not just be advanced for its own sake; it should be used to solve real human problems – caring for the elderly, protecting the environment, and making everyday life safer and more comfortable for ordinary families,” she said.

“Technology in service of people, not the other way around.”

Highlighting international examples, Dube-Ncube said China had aligned its higher education system with economic priorities by rapidly expanding programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence while phasing out qualifications no longer relevant to the country’s needs.

She added that Germany and several European countries have strengthened links between education and industry by combining classroom learning with workplace training, ensuring graduates enter the labour market with practical experience.

“We do not want to copy Japan, China, or Germany exactly. We want to take the best of what works and build a uniquely South African pathway – one that starts right here, in programmes like eduCate and carries a learner from Grade 10 mathematics, through Matric, into further education or training, and finally into meaningful work or their own enterprise,” she said.

“That is what this programme now calls the Learning-to-Earning journey.”

Dube-Ncube encouraged learners to remain confident in pursuing Mathematics and Physical Sciences, saying that while not every learner would become a scientist or engineer, the subjects develop critical thinking, problem-solving and resilience.

“That is exactly the kind of thinking the Fourth Industrial Revolution demands, and it is exactly the kind of thinking that will shape whatever revolution comes after it,” she said.

She urged learners to persevere in their studies, continue asking questions and believe they belong in STEM fields, adding that government, Primestars, the YouthStart Foundation and Cell C remain committed to supporting them throughout their educational journey.

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