LGSETA Administrator’s Western Cape Visit Strengthens Strategic Partnerships and Artisan Development

The LGSETA Administrator, Mr. Zukile Christopher Mvalo, accompanied by the Provincial Specialist, Ms. Aneeka Jacobs and LGSETA team, recently completed a working visit to the Western Cape, engaging key sector partners, TVET leadership, and aspiring artisan competitors to drive capacity building across local government. The week commenced on Monday, 27 July 2026, with a visit to the College of Cape Town’s Thornton Campus, where Mr. Mvalo met with WorldSkills South Africa Plumbing and Heating competitors Rohan Bezuidenhout and Mekaeel Taliep, alongside Lead Expert Mr. Ryan Marsh and Coach Mr Don Anthony, as they prepare for global competition in China from 22- 27 September 2026.  The LGSETA has committed to officially sponsor the Plumbing and Heating skills category, providing essential funding for specialised technical training, tools, consumables, stipends, and international travel.

The momentum continued Wednesday, 29 July 2026, as the Administrator met with the Administrator of the College of Cape Town, Dr. Robert Nkuna, and his executive management team to explore ways to align TVET offerings directly with municipal needs. Discussions centred on establishing high-impact collaborative initiatives, including a specialised Project Management learning programme for municipal officials, entrepreneurial skills training tailored for artisans, and a compulsory introductory module on Local Government for students. By bridging the gap between TVET institutions and public sector requirements, this strategic engagement aims to create direct pipelines for skilled, job-ready graduates who can support municipal service delivery.

Concluding on Thursday, 30 July 2026, Mr. Mvalo formally signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Cape Town, joined by Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys, Executive Director Ernest Sass, and LGSETA Western Cape Provincial Specialist, Aneeka Jacobs. Building on a solid operational foundation where LGSETA contributed nearly R8 million in funding benefiting 330 learners over the past two financial years in areas like Adult Education and Training, Work Integrated Learning, and Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning, this landmark agreement spans all 13 City directorates and 35 training programme types. The new partnership prioritises skills development for EPWP workers, learnerships equipped with assistive technology for persons with disabilities, and local economic development for township entrepreneurs, while positioning the City’s Training Academy to serve as a regional development hub for municipalities across the Western Cape.