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22 July 2025 Media Release: Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Visits Garden Route District Municipality to Discuss Skills Development

Media Release: Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Visits Garden Route District Municipality to Discuss Skills Development

For immediate release
22 July 2025

Yesterday, 21 July 2025, the National Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, visited the Offices of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to engage in discussions and information sharing regarding the importance of skills development in the district and initiatives that can sharpen the implementation of programmes to ensure its overall success thereof.

In welcoming Dr Gondwe, Speaker of Council, Ald. Georlene Wolmarans, noted: “Our district has placed significant emphasis on creating an enabling environment for youth development, education and work-based learning opportunities. A commitment reflected in our adoption of the Skills Mecca model,” she added.

Discussions were mainly revolving around the effectiveness of the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) within the district, matters pertaining to the National Skills Development legislation.

A thorough presentation regarding the overview of the GRSM was delivered by the Strategic Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager, Thembani Loliwe, who is responsible for overseeing the programme since 1 July 2025.

The presentation covered topics ranging from the initiative’s inception to the number of skills development programmes created and implemented across the district to the partnerships with various stakeholders, such as the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) and the National Skills Fund. These discussions prompted questions raised by Dr Gondwe enquiring about the collaboration between GRDM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to ensure student success, including placement in organisations for practical skills development. In response to the question, Dr Florus Prinsloo acknowledged that work have already been put into agreements by the GRDM and certain colleges, stating that the development of task teams to ensure the finalisation of agreements hinders the processes.

Dr Gondwe also shared her interest questioning how the GRSM is implemented on local municipal level in the district, to which Mr Loliwe explained the process of Skills Mecca Technicians that are placed at each municipality. Dr Prinsloo elaborated saying that the placement of Skills Mecca Technicians is a coordinated structure, as they have to fulfil a certain role in their respective local municipalities and has a responsibility to report back through the structure in terms of skills development progress made.

Apart from raising the importance of aligning local and national efforts in strengthening skills development, improving coordination and ensuring that communities benefit from inclusive and future-fit education systems, she made an example of the issue of exclusivity. She provided examples highlighting the need to consider various aspects when formalising agreements, such as the distance youth must travel to access TVET colleges. She said: “The distance that youth have to travel from Knysna to Plett or George to access these facilities, is putting an extra financial burden on these students resulting in them dropping out and ending up in front of spaza shops”.

These discussions were the beginning of many discussions to follow, and the Deputy Minister committed to be in the centre of sharpening Skills Development within the district, stating that close relations between the GRDM and the Office of the Deputy Minister will foster growth in the field of skills development.

In closing, Ald. Nompumelelo Ndayi, MMC for Corporate Services at GRDM, extended words of gratitude to Dr Gondwe for her visit to the GRDM and said: “The GRDM appreciates the commitment of your office to strengthening skills development across all levels of government and society. Regarding Dr Gondwe’s and the department’s continued collaboration with local government, Ald. Ndayi said: “It will be realising a skills development agenda that is responsive, inclusive and forward-thinking”.

GRDM Deputy Executive Mayor, Ald. Vlancio Donson, also thanked all Councillors, officials, stakeholders, and partners who participated and shared their thoughts and ideas. “By working together, we can build skills and create more opportunities for our people,” he concluded.

ENDS

06 May 2025 Public Notice: Register on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Unemployment Database

Public Notice: Register on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Unemployment Database

6 May 2025

The Garden Route District Municipality invites unemployed persons currently residing within the Garden Route District Municipal area, to register themselves on the Garden Route Skills Mecca Unemployment Database.

WHY REGISTER?
By registering, you will:

  • Be included in a central database used to match job seekers with opportunities.
  • Be considered for skills development programs and employment initiatives.
  • Receive communication about relevant training and development projects.

HOW TO REGISTER:
1. Visit: https://skillsmecca.gardenroute.gov.za/.
2. Click the red button labelled “Unemployment Solutions”.
3. Select “Create Account”.
4. Go to “Your Profile” and choose “Create Your Unemployment Profile”.
5. Fill in all required information.
6. Upload the following documents:
– Your CV;
– A certified copy of your ID; and
– Certified qualifications

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Reginald Salmons at 044 803 1363, Ms Khanyisa Madolo at 044 803 1456 or Mrs Nolwando Sambokwe at 044 803 1345 during office hours only. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Should candidates not be contacted within one month of the closing date, they must consider their application as
unsuccessful.

Click here to download the Official Advert.

Closing date: 30 June 2025
Notice number: 41/2025

3 July 2023 Media Release: Garden Route Skills Summit and Careers Festival to be hosted in Knysna

Media Release: Garden Route Skills Summit and Careers Festival to be hosted in Knysna

For immediate release
3 July 2023

Skills Summit 13 July 2023 – Knysna High School

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM), a product of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), together with stakeholders, will on 13 July 2023 host a Garden Route Skills Summit at the Knysna High School in Knysna. The event will host Provincial and National Government Departments, the various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the Private Sector to deliberate and discuss progress made in relation to the implementation of the Skills Mecca. This is a by-invitation-only event.

The Summit further promises an opportunity for a few innovative proposals to be presented by stakeholders working with local municipalities on employment-based skills development projects, and give stakeholders the opportunity to debate on how they can take the Garden Route Skills Mecca to the next level of development.

Focus will also be given to the emerging Western Cape Provincial Growth for Jobs Strategy, Primary Focus area 7 – Improved Access to Economic Opportunities and Employability and how the Skills Mecca process can integrate the implementation of the strategy with the work already being done by the Skills Mecca. This will allow for the implementation of skills development projects that is aligned to the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy.

The deliberations at the Summit will also feed into discussions that will be take place the next day at the Premier Council on Skills at the same venue, the Knysna High School.

Careers Festival 13 – 14 July 2023 – Knysna High School Sports Ground

Hosted by the Western Cape Community Education and Training College (WCCETC), the festival aims to give over 2000 unemployed individuals and school-going youth the opportunity to engage with SETAs, as well as public and private training providers.

With many local schools in Knysna and surrounds bringing their learners, the WCCETC expects to attract 32 exhibitors that have various training and personal development programmes available to eligible applicants.

This initiative by the Garden Route District Municipality and its Garden Route Skills Mecca is funded by Services SETA and is an open-to-the-public-event taking place at the Knysna High School.

“Garden Route District Municipality, Your route to prosperity”

ENDS

01 March 2023 Media Release: The Connected Economy – A Priority Focus Area for the Garden Route Skills Mecca

Media Release: The Connected Economy – A Priority Focus Area for the Garden Route Skills Mecca

For Immediate Release
1 March 2023

The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) is an important initiative that will help to address skills shortages in the Garden Route district, promote economic growth and development. It will also support the realisation of the overall Growth and Development Strategy of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

To explore possible skills development options for the ICT element of the Connected Economy, the Garden Route Skills Mecca Forum convened on February 24th, 2023, with relevant stakeholders during a Quarterly GRSM Forum. The Connected Economy is one (1) of seven (7) priority focus areas of the Growth and Development Strategy of GRDM.

Stakeholders present at the Skills Mecca engagement with the MICT SETA.

The focus area was on the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA). A key question answered during the session was about the skills required in the ICT sector. In answering this, Koos Nieuwoudt, ICT Manager for GRDM in summary said that ICT sector continues to evolve and that new skills are required to meet the needs of the industry. Traditional IT skills such as A+ certifications are no longer sufficient, and companies require professionals who are proficient in AI, robotic process automation, data sciences, analytics, and cybersecurity.

Additionally, Niewoudt also shared that soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are essential for success. The smart region strategy, which integrates digital transformation, offers opportunities for the development of skills in areas such as smart governance, infrastructure, security, environment, mobility, and services. However, he also stated that companies must be mindful of the cybersecurity implications of implementing the smart city concept. With the ever-increasing number of connected devices, cybersecurity is a critical concern, and adequate training and resources must be provided to ensure a safe and secure digital environment.

Skills Development Providers recognised 

During the forum, the Garden Route District Municipality recognized eleven skills development providers who had submitted their organization details during an open tender process in 2022 to be considered as pre-approved service providers for Skills Mecca projects and programs in the future. These providers were required to submit proof of accreditation for specific programs considered necessary for the district in the next few years. As part of the recognition process, providers were issued with a Garden Route Skills Mecca Pledge that commits them to support the Skills Mecca.

A further opportunity for service providers to register with the District Municipality as pre-approved service providers will soon be issued as a tender, and all service providers who offer accredited occupational qualifications or skills programs should watch out for it. The Skills Mecca is particularly in need of qualified and experienced mentors to register with the District Municipality to support small companies in the renewable energy (solar) sector.

Editor’s note: The Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) is a concept that originated from the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative (GRRI) in response to the devastating fires that hit the Knysna/Plettenberg Bay district in June 2017. Since 2018, municipalities in the district, along with national and provincial stakeholders, have been working together to implement the GRSM concept as a critical component of the overall Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) of the Garden Route. 

Feature image caption: Stakeholders present in person during the Skills Mecca Engagement with MICT SETA (FLTR): Dr Florus Prinsloo (GRDM Skills Mecca Coordinator), Oscar Martin (Keep the Dream), Rinus van Raai (SA Value Education), Koos Nieuwoudt (GRDM ICT Manager), Basil Myners (BM Skills Development), Raoul Du Toit (Phezukomkhono Training Services), Gerda Rappard (Africa Skills Private College), Iona Kritzinger (GRDM Portfolio Chairperson: Corporate Services), Joanita Martin (Josmap Training), Chane Martin (Josmap Training), Trix Holtzhausen (GRDM Executive Manager: Corporate Services), Reginal Salmons (GRDM Coordinator: Skills Development), Megan van Rensburg (Training Answers), Monique Oranje (Training Answers), Onke Jako (GRDM Skills Mecca Intern).

ENDS