Held on 9 October 2025 at the Mbombela Campus, the dialogue focused on Rising Unemployment Amongst South African Youth, and Opportunities for Youth in the Post-School Education and Training Sector. The programme seeks to raise awareness about G20 objectives, gather insights from diverse stakeholders, foster collaboration between government, academia, and civil society, empower communities to engage in global decision-making processes, and expose students to opportunities such as international scholarships within G20 countries and beyond.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso emphasised the importance of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) as the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and development. She noted that UMP's academic programmes reflect a strong commitment to advancing quality education from early learning to postgraduate levels.
"ECCE establishes the foundation for a child's lifelong growth and development. At UMP, we offer comprehensive programmes such as the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching, Honours in Teaching and Learning, Master's, and PhD programmes in Education, which equip our graduates to address the learning needs of children and to contribute to the broader transformation of the education sector."
She also highlighted the value of continuous professional development and lifelong learning in the context of rapid technological change. "Lifelong learning, including the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn, is mandatory in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and global transformation. We must continually sharpen our skills to remain adaptive and relevant," she added.
"We are proud to contribute to shaping the future of education in our country and beyond. The University of Mpumalanga will continue to be a place of knowledge, warmth, and energy — a place of the rising sun where new ideas take root."
The dialogue provided a platform for government, academia, and civil society to engage on key issues affecting education and youth development in South Africa.
Chief Director for Further Education and Training, Mr Elijah Nkosi, added that the initiative aims to ensure that learners and young people are equipped for the future through access to quality education and skills development.
"We aim for 90% of learners to pass Grade 12, with at least 50% achieving bachelor passes. However, unemployment among young people remains a challenge, and this calls for renewed strategies to create growth opportunities," he said.
"As the number of graduates increases, it is vital to expand capacity and provide platforms for innovation and excellence. We are working closely with national departments and higher education institutions to ensure that the meeting is a success. The G20 platform allows us to align our provincial priorities with global educational goals."
Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, noted that the G20 Education Working Group discussions must include the voices of young people and the private sector to help shape an inclusive future.
"It is not only a government initiative but a collective effort that involves everyone in education, from early learning to higher education and technical training," he said. "We must also ensure that young people of Mpumalanga have the opportunity to express their views and that private sector representatives feel they are part of this important national and global dialogue."
Dr Sishi concluded by stressing that collaboration is central to progress in education. "Education is the collective responsibility of government, institutions, and society. We must all contribute to building systems that are responsive to social and economic change."
The event reaffirmed the importance of solidarity, equality, and sustainability as guiding principles for educational reform and inclusive development, setting a positive tone for the forthcoming G20 Education Working Group Ministers' Meeting, where South Africa will host international delegates to deliberate on strategies for strengthening global education collaboration.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied. Copyright © UMP