Pongola’s young people need access to skills, opportunity and a future, and that is why we are calling for the establishment of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college in the area. At the moment, many learners must travel hundreds of kilometres to reach higher learning institutions, which places a heavy burden on families and makes post-school education harder to access.
This situation affects students from Pongola and surrounding communities most directly. When transport costs are too high, accommodation is unavailable, or the journey is too long, many capable young people are left behind or forced to delay their studies. If nothing changes, the gap between rural youth and available education and job opportunities will only grow wider.
A TVET college in Pongola would give local students a practical route into training, employment and entrepreneurship. It would also support the wider community by helping to develop local skills in fields that can strengthen the economy and meet real labour-market needs.
We ask the UPhongolo Local Municipality to take the lead and formally decide, without delay, to support and initiate the process of bringing a TVET college to Pongola. This should include working with the Minister of Higher Education and Training, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Zululand District Municipality, UPhongolo Local Municipality and the relevant education and economic development authorities to secure planning, land, funding and the necessary approvals.
Pongola cannot keep sending its young people far away simply to access basic post-school education. A local TVET college is a practical investment in education, dignity and long-term economic development for the whole area.