By Charndré Emma Kippie
Majuba TVET College is one of 50 public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa, and is overseen by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The College is one of the largest Technical and Vocational Education and Training service providers in the country, specialising in priority skills development.
At present, the College is performing exceptionally well under the wing of Principal Sanele .J Mlotshwa – a man of true authenticity and excellence – who was appointed as President of the South African College Principals Association in 2019.
On A Mission: Enhancing Learning Opportunities in SA
Majuba TVET College is the key service provider for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Amajuba and Umzinyathi Districts. It services major industries in these areas, in the sectors of iron- and steel manufacturing, mining (mainly coal), textile and clothing production, cement chemical manufacturing, tyre production, engineering and primary agriculture.
There are 8 Campuses, spread over a wide geographical area that includes Newcastle, Madadeni and Dundee. The College offers a diverse range of nationally recognised vocational and occupational programmes. Majuba TVET College is committed to education and training, using cutting edge technology and innovative teaching methodologies, to enhance and optimise teaching and learning opportunities.
Situated in Newcastle, Northern KwaZuluNatal, the College plays a significant role in the holistic development of our students, as part of preparing them for the world of work. In addition to the Ministerial programmes, namely, the National Certificate (Vocational) and Report 191 (N1-N6); the College offers NQF-aligned Learnerships (in collaboration with Business and Industry), Skills Programmes and Apprenticeship Training.
The College regards itself as an important social partner in realising the shared socioeconomic objectives of the local, provincial and national government. To this end, the College creates access to education and training opportunities; and empowers our students with the relevant knowledge and skills to become economically active citizens.
Majuba’s Newcastle Training Centre – NTC
The Newcastle Training Centre has, since its inception, always been at the forefront of the South African Training and Development landscape. The Centre is situated on 2 HJ Van ECK Drive, Barryhertzog Park Newcastle.
With more than 40 years of pioneering experience in Artisan Training, and over 20 years Trade Testing experience, NTC continues to produce qualified artisans. NTC extends their experience in training high school teachers in the practical component of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement(CAPS).
The Centre is proud to announce it has been recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as the Centre of Specialisation for Boilermaking in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is also a QCTO accredited Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) Centre.
Majuba College provides access to various trade disciplines for artisans. Institutional training is provided for multiple trades, via the medium of Apprenticeships or Learnerships, such as boilermaking, electrician qualifications, plumbing, automotive mechanic qualifications and refractory masonry, for example.
Majuba TVET College’s Core Identity
VISION: Empowering our nation through quality education, training and development.
MISSION: Providing responsive and relevant education, training and development to cater
for the needs of businesses, industries and communities.
VALUES: Majuba’s motto “Reaching Greater Heights Together” guides its values which are: (CRISP)
- Creativity: To be resourceful, innovative and unconventional thinkers in what we do
- Respect: To accord dignity to all those whom we serve and work with
- Integrity: To demonstrate a sense of justice and honesty in everything we do
- Service: To respond efficiently and effectively to the needs of our staff and clients
- Perseverance: To continuously apply ourselves to the best of our abilities
The Man Behind the Institution
Mr. Sanele Mlotshwa, the Principal of Majuba TVET College, is the epitome of professionalism and prides himself on excellence in all that he commits to. His journey in the education landscape has been one of conscientiousness, tenacity and pure dedication.
Born and bred in a town near Pietermaritzburg called Howick, Sanele Mlotshwa completed his schooling in his hometown. When he was completing Matric, his father sadly passed away, leaving a major gap in his life and the lack of a solid support structure. He then went on to work in a supermarket in 1988. Thereafter, he was afforded the opportunity to take on a temporary teaching position at Enzimane Combined school (off which he become principal in 2000), in Utrecht – a town in the foothills of the Balele Mountains, in the northwestern corner of KwaZulu-Natal. Gaining this opportunity set Mlotshwa up for future success. Compelled to improve his life and the lives of the learners he taught, Mlotshwa began pursuing his tertiary education.
Principal Mlotshwa completed a Human Resource Management Diploma, in 1998, at Damelin. He then obtained a Diploma in Education, in 1999, from the South Africa College for Teachers’ Education. In 2002, he completed his Higher Diploma in Education. And in 2006, Mlotshwa obtained a Bachelor of Education Honours degree, from North West University. He has also successfully completed a Diploma in Theology, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Theology, at Glory to God Bible College, and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Public Management from Richfield Graduate Institute, in 2018.
Other qualifications that he holds include a certificate for Computer Literacy (from Majuba TVET College), and another for HIV/AIDS care and counselling, which he obtained from Unisa.
In 1995, Mlotshwa joined the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), and between 2006 and 2009, Mlotshwa served as the Northern Natal Regional Secretary for SADTU, where he serviced the Amajuba, Umzinyathi and Uthukela regions. Then, in 2007, Mlotshwa was appointed to the Majuba TVET Council by former MEC Ina Cronje.
Joining Majuba TVET College
Mlotshwa was promoted to Chief Education Specialist, in the Circuit management for Umzinyati region, in 2009. This promotion meant he’d be responsible for the success of 200 schools. Mlothshwa’s main objective during this time was to ensure that pass rates rise – which he achieved. Just within the Nquthu area, the pass rate jumped from 40% to 70%. Then, in 2014, Mlotshwa was appointed as Principal of Majuba TVET College.
As a prominent member of the Newcastle community, Principal Mlotshwa is regarded as a man who is deeply invested in the power of education and allegiance. He has played a pivotal role in uplifting the education institute to an esteemed level of greatness, whilst eagerly motivating students to hone their craft in order to reach their full potential.
“The College is performing exceptionally well, our standards of quality are high, but there is always room for improvement and we will up our passion for our College; for our students; and most of all for the quality of education we offer at Majuba TVET College”, said Principal Mlotshwa.
“It is also very important to keep our lecturers up to date to ensure that the standard of teaching and learning remains high. Our students are our main priority and we are ready to face any obstacles that might arise to ensure their success.”
Building a Coherent Post-School System
In 2015, TVET Colleges in South Africa were fully put under the management of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Formerly established FET Colleges were transformed into institutions that prospective students turned to due to not gaining access to University. This posed a significant issue for the nation’s education system and development, as the economy depends greatly upon the Vocational programmes offered by Colleges.
Speaking on Majuba College’s solutions to this issue, Principal Mlotshwa commented:
“Corrective actions will be taken to ensure that students feel that they are entering useful educational institutions. The integration of these institutions into a coherent post-school system means among other things that College qualifications must be recognised by Higher Education institutions in order to ensure articulation between the institutions.”
“Youth development is close to my heart. It is a passion of mine to see people excel. The country has a severe shortage of skilled workers”, he continued.
“It is an honour and privilege for me to be part of the process of educating young people and sending them into the workforce armed with the skills they need to excel at their jobs. In this way, we are not just providing one person with a future, we are providing that person’s family with a future and we can take it further by saying we are creating a better future for all South Africans by putting skilled people into the necessary places. This is good for the economy and in turn good for the country.”
Empowering South African Students for the Future
Majuba TVET College is one of the largest Colleges in the country. Thus, it currently makes provision for approximately 30 000 students studying within its doors. Dedicated to stimulating SA’s youth through quality education, the institution’s main goals are to ensure that its students successfully complete their qualifications and enter the workforce as proficient, skilled individuals, and to make employment achievable.
“For this reason, we engage with the major industries to employ our students and this is also so that the hard work our lecturers put into our students does not go to waste”, Principal Mlotshwa expressed.
Recently, the institution launched its newest Campus in Dundee (Dundee Technology Centre), which has garnered exciting new tidings for the College. This newer Campus offers access to both Engineering and Business – utilising current structures to be able to make accommodations for more students.
“The main focus is on all post-school students…bridging the gap between simple skills and College students”, said Principal Mlotshwa. “We humbly appeal to stakeholders to fully support the new Campus, extending thanks to the SAPS and all contributors for their service. Local government and business can work together and make this new Campus a profound success.”
Innovation and Development (ID)
The following Departments & Units fall under Majuba College’s ID:
- Work Integrated Learning Unit
- Occupational Programmes Unit
- Marketing and Communication Department
- Entrepreneurship Unit
The Story Behind the Logo
- The Majuba TVET College logo represents its trading logo. The name Majuba is derived from the Battle of Amajuba that took place during the Anglo Boer War. The white doves – the emblem of the residence – represents the mountain of Amajuba, famous for its white doves.
- In Zulu, Majuba means the mountain of the doves. The doves therefore represent ambition and the mountain represents aspiration. The Majuba TVET College logo with its colours and fonts were uniquely designed for maximum legibility and impact.
- The subtext “reaching greater heights together” forms part of the complete logo. When presented consistently, our logo ensures that we are always recognised and distinguished.
Contact Details
Address: 83 Allen Street, Newcastle 2940
Tel: 034 326 4888
Fax: 034 326 4889
Web: www.majuba.edu.za
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