thousands of students have not been able to graduate

Dozens of TVET students who are unable to graduate because they have not yet completed their practical training protested at the headquarters of the Department of Higher Education in Pretoria on Tuesday.

People studying towards a Nationally Recognized Diploma in Technical Education (NATED) are required to complete 18 months of workplace-based training.

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But many students struggle to complete the practical training. “Some students wait two, three or even more years to get a placement. During this time, our qualifications remain incomplete, our hopes are delayed and our lives are put on hold,” one petition said. amandla.mobiWhich has received 32,515 signatures.

NSFAS funds the first 18 months of theoretical training, but not practical training. “We are expected to survive, travel and work full-time for up to 18 months, sometimes without pay or funding. It's not fair, and it's not realistic,” said the petition submitted to the department in February.

The petition seeks funding for practical training and assistance in placements for students who have not yet graduated.

“I have completed the theory, but I can't get a placement because government departments only accept students who have already been allocated a stipend. The college says there is no funding for a stipend, so we are stuck. I feel stressed, frustrated and unsure about the future,” said Ongziwe Zzaza at Tuesday's protest.

Zzaza studied public management at Asyidi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal. He completed the theory component of the qualification in 2024.

Thivhudzivi Walter Vale, the department's acting chief director for TVET programmes, received the memorandum from the protesters.

Vale said Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela would make a public announcement on Thursday, June 11, addressing the matter.

He said the department has prepared a database of about 29,000 students who need in-service training.

He said placements are being secured through partnerships with the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and private businesses and small enterprises.

He acknowledged that communication with student leadership has been inadequate. “We recognize your concerns as legitimate,” Vale said.

In September 2025, Manmela announced plans to phase out the old NATED qualifications and introduce vocational qualifications aimed at aligning training with labor market needs.