Queenstown, 28 February 2025.  Ikhala TVET College hosted its State of the College Address at Roydon Game Reserve in Queenstown. The event, aimed at reflecting on the college’s progress and outlining future plans, was opened with prayer by Bishop Mbesi.

In her address, Dr. Delubom, the Chairperson of the College Council, emphasized that the council’s mandate is to ensure that teaching and learning are conducted effectively.

College Principal’s Address

Mr. Ntlangano, Ikhala TVET College Principal’s keynote speech focused on achievements of 2024, future, and the challenges faced by TVET collages. He highlighted that Ikhala TVET College currently ranks 21^st out of 50 TVET colleges for Report 191 and NVC programs.

“It is very important that we produce students that will be able to contribute to South Africa” he stated, acknowledging the difficulties lecturers face in the classroom.

Key Academic Focus Areas

1. QTCO Accreditation
   • The college has established QTCO Accreditation, and the committee has developed a plan to ensure timelines and deadlines are met.
2. Introduction of Non-Accredited Skills Programs
   • The College plans to enroll 250 students in non-accredited programs across all campuses this year.
3. Academic Performance
   • The certification rate stands at 72%, while the throughput rate is at 15%.
   • The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) will release final college performance results once the mop-up program concludes at the end of March. However, the Department will release the performances of the colleges when the mop up program is concluded at the end of March.
4. Subject Allocation Verification
   • The college is currently verifying subject allocations to address challenges related to contact time for teaching.
5. Research Initiatives
   • During the 2024 Strategic Planning session, the need for a dedicated research function was identified to enhance decision-making, planning, and teaching quality.
   • The newly established Research Committee, chaired by Dr, Rumosa Gwaze, will oversee research activities and encourage lecturer participation.
6. Student Support and Registration Initiatives
   • The digitalization of enrolment and registration is in progress.
   • Improvements have been made in student data management (TVETMIS) to ensure accuracy.
   • The college has signed 22 financial partnerships that provide stipends for students.
   • International partnerships included collaborations with:
     • China (Culture and E-commerce)Canada (SASTEP)
     • Japan (JICA)
   • Currently, 733 students are engaged in work integrated learning programs.
   • The 2025 student registration count reached 5,250 students, exceeding the target of 4,982
7. Infrastructure Development
   • Several key renovation and expansion projects are underway, including:Ezibeleni Skills CentreOld Sterkspruit CampusAdditional classrooms in Queen Nonesi.
   • A comprehensive master plan for infrastructure will be developed this year.
8. Governance Update
   • The college is currently awaiting the Minister of Higher Education’s approval for 10(6) appointees to strengthen governance structures.
9. Challenges Facing the Institution
   • Delays in staff recruitment due to the DPSA moratorium.
   • High staff turnover, leading to the loss of skilled personnel.
   • Limited funding for infrastructure upgrades, particularly in rural campuses.

Conclusion

In closing, the principal expressed his appreciation to all staff members for their continued commitment to the college’s success.

“Once more we must work together to protect brand Ikhala and rededicate ourselves to support our community” he emphasized.

He concluded his speech with a quote from Dr Martin Luther King Jr.:

“Now, my black brothers, we have been oppressed for very long, and now we are free. We must be committed to a principle of excellence. If you are a student, you must read the books such that no one, even those yet to be borne, can read them better than you”.