KwaZulu-Natal embarks on a skills revolution to position the province as 'Skills Capital'

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu has committed his government to work with the Human Resource Development Council to embark on a “skills revolution” that will eventually result in KZN becoming a “Skills Capital” of South Africa. He was speaking at the launch of the council in Durban today.

“We have a vision of ensuring that KZN becomes prosperous province with a healthy, secure and skilled population, acting as a gateway to Africa and the World.  We can only achieve this vision if we aggressively embark on a skills revolution.”

“Our Provincial Growth and Development Plan has set an ambitious target of ensuring that we create 2,1 million jobs by 2030. Such jobs will only be created through a skilled population. In the future we want millions of our people especially the youth to be the drivers of job creation in various sectors of our economy.”

“Skills and knowledge are the key drivers of economic growth and it is therefore the responsibility of the council to guide government and the province as a whole on how to produce a highly skilled workforce that will improve the global socio-economic status of KZN.”

“The council will pay a strong focus on scarce skills such as engineering, science and technology, accounting, information technology, agriculture, health and social services. There are other key sectors for job creation such as the green economy.”

“Importantly, the province has a long coastline, two big ports in Durban and Richards Bay, many rivers and dams. As a result there are career opportunities in the maritime industry both at the harbours, on ships and in ship building.  The industry needs artisans, shipbuilders, sailors and boat captains.”
 
Note to Editors: The profile of the members of the HRD Council is available on www.kznonline.gov.za.

1. Prof. NM Mazibuko: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zululand (UNIZULU).
2. Professor Renuka Vithal: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: University of KwaZulu-Natal.
3. Professor Mashupye Ratale Kgaphola: Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT).
4. Mr Magnate Ntombela: Regional Director of the University of South Africa for KZN
5. Prof. Ahmed Bawa: Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Durban University of Technology.
6. Dr. EV Nzama: Chief Director for FET Colleges & Adult Education and Training in the Department of Higher Education and Training based in KZN.
7. Mr. Zithulele Zondi: Executive Manager: Academic Services at the Moses Kotane Institute
8. Dr. Tholsia Naicker: Managing Director of Institute for Quality Training since 2002
9. Mr Samuel Zungu: Principal at Umfolozi FET College.
10. Sandra La Marque: CEO at the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union
11. Mr JT Dikgole: Chief Executive Officer of the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA)
12. Mr Stuart Beaumont: Joint CEO for Ramsay Engineering.
13. Mr Bonga Khuzwayo: HR Manager of Mpact Paper division
14. Ms Sue Moodley: CEO of Transport.com
15. Mr Ndabo Khoza: Chief Executive Officer for Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
16. Mr R Naidoo: Chieta Regional Manager for KZN and the Eastern Cape
17. Captain Saroor Ali: Regional Manager (Eastern Region) of South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
18. Mr Mogamat -Tape Petersen: Senior Project Manager: Skills Development at the Automotive Industry Development Centre
19. Ms Thembi Nene-Shezi: She is currently Chief Director-Provincial Operations in the Department of Labour.
20. Mr Wandile Mzamo: Operations Director of Bidfreight Port Operations (BPO) and the Managing Director of South African Container Stevedores (SACS) – both Bidvest Companies
21. Mr Jonathan Naidoo: Chief Executive Officer at Smart-Xchange
22. Ms T Mkhize:  Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Member of Climate Changer Council
23. Ms Vikashnee Harbhajan: Executive Director of the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal
24. Dr Manivasan Thandrayen: South African Medical Association
25. Mr Mark Faku: Chairperson of the South African Planning Institute for the KZN Chapter.
26. Mr Madikane: Vice President of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers
27. Mr N Asvat: Regional Executive of South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
28. Michael Howard Rogers: Non-Executive Director of Royal Bafokeng Platinum, and the Non-Executive Chairman of Fox Consultants and Projects Managers (Pty) Ltd
29. Dr Nielen van der Merwe: South African Institute of Mining & Metallurgy and Centennial Chair for Rock Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand
30. Mr du Toit Grobler: Institution of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, South Africa
31. Mr V Krishandutt: South African Institution of Civil Engineering
32. Mr Thamsanqa Ntshingila: Port Manager (Transnet)
33. Mr Mandla Shange: South African Local Government Association
34. Ms Zodwa Dlamini: Manager Eskom (Talent and Skills)
35. Mr Edwin Mkhize, Provincial Secretary, COSATU
36. Mr Mbuyiseni Mathonsi: Provincial Secretary, SADTU
37. Mr Zola Saphetha: Deputy General Secretary of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU),
38. Mr Lennox Sthembiso Madlala: Organizational Development Practitioner.

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