HEALING THE EASTERN CAPE AND POWERING STUDENTS FOR A GLOBAL FUTURE!

Ikhala TVET College Acting Principal, Mr Mqondisi Bhikisha, speaks to Municipal Focus on the uplifting role of the College in the Eastern Cape.

Ikhala TVET College is named after a resilient succulent plant that is found in arid areas and known for its healing properties – just like this TVET college!

Ikhala TVET College, according to its Acting Principal Mr Bhikisha, is an educational remedy to all educational ailments in the catchment area it serves; which are the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

Mr. Bhikisha expounds, “We cannot run away from the fact that we are based in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, but we must produce graduates who are ready to work and compete in the global arena and work in a globalised environment!”

“The biggest challenge we face, and have grabbed with both horns, is to provide world-class quality education with a global view in the rural setting where we are physically located,” Mr Bhikisha explains.

Bhikisha, brings a wealth of experience to the college – having been in the education sector for over 30 years, mostly at management level. Along the way he has eveloped partnerships inside and outside the education environment, which benefits the college immensely.

Making an impact

The work of the college in ‘healing education’ is already showing results, according to Bhikisha.

In Chris Hani District Municipality, the number of people within the ‘matric only’ category, increased from 62,600 to 96,000. With the number of people with matric and a certificate/diploma increasing at an average annual rate of 5.19%.

In Joe Gqabi District Municipality people with matric and a certificate/ diploma have increased at an average annual rate of 4.85%.

“These figures mean a betterqualified work pool for the municipalities and local business; increased productivity and improved service delivery,” Bhikisha says. “It also means that people from the province have a better chance of getting opportunities outside of the districts.”

Ikhala TVET has campuses in most of the rural towns of the two regions; it has service delivery sites and campuses in:

• Sterkspruit

• Aliwal North

• Lady Frere

• Ezibeleni (Administration Head Office)

• Queenstown

• Cala

• Tsomo

“The spread of our presence throughout the two districts ensures that we are accessible to students,” explains Bhikisha. “Most students can attend classes and go home. This not only makes education physically accessible but also affordable for our rural community members who save on transport and college boarding costs.”

If need be, students use private accommodation in nearby facilities and homes, creating a secondary industry.

“We may be rural in physical setting, but we ensure that students receive quality TVET education by providing professional lecturers, providing bursaries to train lecturers who are teaching in these campuses, and ensure that resources provided are of the best quality,” Bhikisha adds.

Bridging the gap & producing job-creators

Ikhala TVET puts a particular emphasis on narrowing the divide between the schooling system and the demands of a real workplace environment. The college simulates workplace experience in delivering education. It also seizes opportunities for students to get real work experience. is striving to keep this record.

In the drive for practical work experience, Ikhala TVET places and provides learnerships, skills training, short courses and apprenticeships in collaboration with various SETAs, the National Skills Fund (NSF) as well as industry partners. The college also places students in workplaces through Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Some of the students end up getting employment where they are placed.

Bhikisha explains, “We are cognisant of the fact that for obvious > historical reasons and the current global economic environment, employment is very scarce in South Africa and the world. Hence if we continue producing ‘workers’ we shall be extending that job-seekers’ queue!”

“In this regard Ikhala TVET has set up the Center for Entrepreneurship & Rapid Incubator in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). The Centre is supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs; and equipping students and community members with skills to open businesses and to access funding through SEDA as well as its partners.

Bhikisha says proudly, “Further we assist to increase market opportunities for students and local SMMEs to promote their products and services through collaboration with other stakeholders in the ecosystem.” with the global environment. “We encourage students to take part in the WorldSkills ZA competition in order for them to get exposure to the globalised work environment,” Bhikisha adds. “The results and effects have been outstanding!”

To demonstrate the college’s commitment to producing jobcreators, students are encouraged to join the annual Eastern Cape Entrepreneurship Competition on the registration portal!

One of the students, Ms Snovuyo Mboniswa, won Gold in Water Technology in the WorldSkills ZA (1st place) and went on to obtain a top-ten position (7th place) in the finals in Germany.

Bhikisha adds proudly, “The participation in the global stage has created opportunities through other partnerships. Resulting from strategic relations, we have two students who are currently studying towards Bachelors of Science Degrees in China. That too will have its own spin-off.”

Market-ready for the hightech global future

The College is not only inward-looking. In preparing the students for the 4IR, the college has ensured that all campuses have free wi-fi connectivity for students and staff to ensure that they are in touch

Well grounded

In its quest for playing in the global stage, the College does not ignore or renege on its commitment to addressing needs of the local communities and environment. The college has used its Occupational

Programmes to train co-operatives in the communities surrounding its campuses. The campuses have also provided learnerships and training on specific skills through short courses that ensures that the College stays in touch with the community it serves. The College also held formal sessions with businesses to improve relations and to promote business support of student placement and training initiatives.

“The benefit of the business sessions and breakfasts has been two-fold,” Bhikisha elaborates. “We used them to educate our stakeholders about our offering and needs; our stakeholders also inform us on the relevance of our training as well as how we can work together to grow our communities.”

Excellence on the local front

The College strives to reach management excellence by ensuring that the key management structures, The Council, College Management and the Student Representative Council work collaboratively to ensure smooth delivery of the College’s vision.

“There is nothing that can take away the benefit of experience,” Bhikisha adds. “I was Acting Manager of Human Resources for the College for a year. That enables me to understand the issue affecting educators and other staff, from an employer and employee point of view. That experience comes in handy in developing the team and steering this organisation.”

“We are proud that we have received an unqualified audit for two years in a row for the first time,” Bhikisha says. “We wish to maintain that as our standard whilst we pursue our other goals.”

Bhikisha continues, “We have seen tremendous growth of the institution over the last few years. Our student intake has tripled. Our academic and management performance has been excellent."

Ikhala TVET College was the top academic performer in the Eastern Cape Province in 2022 and is striving to keep this record.

The College also won gold in the Eastern Cape Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Choir Competition.

“Since we are preparing our students for the world of work, we would like to see all our graduates in workplaces by the time they graduate; either as employees or preferably as employers.

“The College is making strides to acquire unutilised/under-utilised infrastructure in the district. As well as raking in funds for further infrastructure development projects through strategic partnerships.

“We would also like to see Ikhala TVET College less dependent on the state for its operations. In this regard we are sharpening resource-mobilisation skills for Council and Management through fundraising training. The funds raised will be used for development of strategic infrastructure and incomegenerating projects. These include a productive farm which will be run by both Farming Management and Agricultural students. Such farms will not only assist the College, but the local as well as the provincial economies as well.

“We also plan to build a Business Centre that will generate income for the college whilst supporting the neighbouring community," Bhikisha expounds.

4IR and keeping the college connected

“More importantly, in line with our commitment to get our students ready for the 4IR, we aim to upgrade our connectivity so that our college community is always ‘logged-on’ to the rest of the world with no disruptions,” Bhikisha concludes.

“Renewable energy will also be part of the mix to support the green economy and ensure a conducive learning environment for our students.” 