The agreement establishes a practical framework for collaboration, including shared access to specialised laboratories and testing equipment, as well as the development of targeted skills programmes, internships, and capacity-building initiatives. These interventions are designed to strengthen industry-relevant expertise and support the transfer and commercial application of research.
Through this partnership, both institutions aim to strengthen graduate readiness and build a pipeline of skills aligned to industry needs, while advancing joint research and expanding opportunities for experiential learning.
The collaboration will further support key industries within the SEZ, including nutraceuticals, renewable energy, hydrogen mobility, and recycling, while strengthening technology transfer and the commercialisation of research outputs.
The collaboration is earmarked to create meaningful opportunities for young people in the province.
UMP Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, emphasised the importance of the partnership in addressing youth unemployment and advancing people-centred development.
“This partnership represents a deliberate response to the urgent need for economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods. It is through collaborations such as this that we can begin to create meaningful opportunities for young people and contribute to transforming our communities,” she said.
Professor Meyiwa added that the partnership should become a living framework that drives real impact in the lives of our people, noting the importance of positioning the province within continental and global economic systems.
“We aim to leverage platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and BRICS partnerships to support localisation, innovation, and industrial growth, ensuring that Mpumalanga becomes an active participant in the global economy,” she said.
Creating Inclusive Development
The signing of the MoU outlines a commitment to attracting both domestic and foreign investment, engaging local and international partners, and strengthening innovation ecosystems.
UMP will provide expertise and support for skills development programmes.
Nkomazi SEZ Board Chairperson, Mr Victor Windvoel, described the partnership as a critical milestone that brings together key stakeholders to address unemployment, inequality, and slow economic growth through integrated approaches to skills development, research, and infrastructure.
“The University of Mpumalanga will play a pivotal role in providing technical expertise and supporting structured skills development programmes that are aligned with industry needs. For inclusive development, traditional leaders and local communities form an integral part of the partnership,” he said.
Strategic Positioning
Chairperson of the UMP Council, Mr Sabelo Mahlalela, noted that Special Economic Zones globally have demonstrated their value as catalysts for economic growth, innovation, and investment attraction.
Their success is often underpinned by strong collaboration between universities, industry, and government, and the Nkomazi SEZ presents an opportunity to strengthen regional integration and unlock economic potential across provincial and international borders.
The UMP-Nkomazi SEZ is set to position Mpumalanga as a strategic hub connecting South Africa and neighbouring countries.
“This initiative positions Mpumalanga as a strategic hub connecting South Africa with neighbouring countries such as Eswatini and Mozambique, while advancing sustainable agriculture, innovation, and economic development,” he said.
“South Africa continues to face significant challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Investment in industrial activity is essential to creating jobs and improving the quality of life for our communities,” said Advisory Board Chairperson for Special Economic Zones, Mr Fish Mahlalela.
“With the right alignment between national, provincial, and local stakeholders, and through strong institutional partnerships such as this, the SEZ can become a catalyst for meaningful regional transformation.”
As UMP and the Nkomazi SEZ move forward with implementing the agreement, the partnership is expected to help build a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven economy that supports sustainable development in Mpumalanga.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures by JB Creative Cinema. Copyright © UMP.