LGSETA Strengthens Strategic Partnership at VUT’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration

 The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) joined the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in celebrating its Diamond Jubilee Gala Dinner on 23 July 2026, commemorating 60 years of excellence, innovation and transformation in higher education .Held as part of VUT’s year-long Road to 60 Campaign, the gala dinner brought together leaders from government, higher education institutions, industry, organised labour, alumni and strategic partners to celebrate the University’s legacy while reaffirming a shared commitment to developing the skills needed to drive South Africa’s economic growth.

The celebration also served as a platform to strengthen partnerships between higher education institutions and organisations committed to expanding access to quality education, innovation and skills development.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Higher Education and Training, Honourable Buti Manamela, challenged VUT to build on its proud legacy by focusing on three strategic priorities that will shape its future and contribute to the country’s development.

The Minister called for strengthened governance and institutional stability, emphasising that sound governance, financial discipline and accountability remain essential to academic excellence and sustainable institutional performance. He further encouraged VUT to lead South Africa’s skills revolution by producing graduates equipped with future-ready skills that respond to the changing needs of industry and the economy. The Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with industry, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, municipalities and organised labour while expanding work-integrated learning opportunities, lifelong learning initiatives and innovation.

Reaffirming the distinctive role of Universities of Technology, the Minister emphasised the need for institutions such as VUT to continue connecting education with technology, applied research, industry and practical problem-solving. He encouraged the University to deepen collaboration with the TVET sector and ensure that both lecturers and students remain closely connected to the workplace through practical industry exposure.

The Diamond Jubilee Gala Dinner also highlighted VUT’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through its fundraising initiative, which aims to provide financial support to academically deserving students, particularly those enrolled in programmes addressing South Africa’s critical and scarce skills needs.

LGSETA’s participation in the celebration reflected the organisation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships across the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector. By engaging with government, higher education institutions and industry stakeholders, LGSETA continues to support collaborative initiatives that advance skills development, innovation and graduate employability.

As VUT embarks on its seventh decade, LGSETA congratulates the University on this significant milestone and looks forward to strengthening its partnership in support of education, skills development and inclusive economic growth.