FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
THE MQA PROUDLY PARTICIPATES IN THE WORLD SKILLS
SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL COMPETITION, CONFERENCE AND CAREER FESTIVAL 2024
THE MQA EXHIBITS AT THE INVESTING IN AFRICAN MINING INDABA EVENT, AS THE INITIATIVE COUNTS 30 YEARS OF EXISTENCE
THE MQA’S 2024 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FORUMS
THE MQA CEO VISITS HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS
THE MQA BENEFICIARY PROFILE
THE MQA FRAUD HOTLINE
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PUBLISHERS: Mining Qualifications Authority LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Litha Communications (Pty) Ltd
EDITOR: Merle Clark
EDITORIAL TEAM: Amanda Masilo
Baitse Mokiti
Vinolia Malatjie
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)
Physical Address: 7 Anerley Road, Parktown
Tel: 011 547 2600
Email: info@mqa.org.za Website: www.mqa.org.za
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The year 2024 has entered with a bang for the MQA as we touch the length and breath of the country, engaging with stakeholders on the various programmes as well as establishing partnerships for the benefit of the sector.
The MQA CEO, Dr Thabo Mashongoane displayed his passion for higher education institutions when he started with a campaign in 2023 to visit most higher education institutions around the country that previously had no interaction with the MQA. Through these visits, meaningful partnerships were established resulting in the higher education institutions displaying commitment to work with the MQA going forward. The programmes that the MQA engaged the institutions on were not limited to bursaries but other programmes that the higher education institutions and the MQA can partner on for the benefit of learners and the mining and mineral sector at large. Read about the visits on page 8 of the newsletter.
To further support the national interventions of the MQA, Stakeholder Engagement Forums took place in the first quarter of the year where the MQA’s different units engaged stakeholders on various programmes and alerted them on activities that they can expect during the course of 2024. These included workplace skills plans and annual training report submissions annually, learner intakes on various programmes, changes pertaining to regulations by the
QCTO and updates on various MQA programmes amongst others. These events create an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with MQA staff on a face-to-face basis which is always reassuring for them. More information can be read on page 6.
The MQA also attended the World Skills South Africa National Competition, Conference and Career Festival in Durban from 01-03 February 2024, an event that leads to winners’ skills being displayed in France at the International World Skills Competition in September 2024. A number of trophies were awarded on various skills showing that South Africa has what it takes to compete internationally with the skills that they obtain in the country. The MQA exhibition was a hive at the event, as learners showed interest in the display by Murray & Roberts Cementation personnel that partnered with the MQA for an impactful exhibition. The MQA continues its commitment to the World Skills event annually, providing its support year after year. See page 2.
This year marking the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa, was also a year celebrated at the Investing in Mining African Mining Indaba Event held from 5-8 February at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town where the event marked its 30th anniversary. This was one of the most attended events themed “Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG, and the Economies.” This years’ event attracted a total of 11 000 registered delegates, 8 000 attendees, with a total of 9 600 counted by the end of the event, 126 countries were represented with 385 speakers, 1,200 investors, 450 mining companies and two heads of state. A total of 320 exhibitors were represented at the event with the MQA being one of the exhibitors as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) state owned entities at the South African Pavillion. It is events like these that ensure the visibility of the MQA amongst the stakeholders of the mining and mineral sector as well as the world over, as many countries in particular our neighbours from the African continent who showed a keen interest in the sector education and training authority (SETA) model.
Lastly, our back page always highlights our Toll-Free Anonymous hotline. Report any fraud, as fraud is a crime. Also, with so many fraudulent emails going around always “Think Before You Click.”
Do enjoy reading the MQA news. It is a platform that should not only be seen as a one-way communication tool, but we encourage stakeholders to send in their news and views to ensure an interactive approach to our engagement with our stakeholders in the mining and mineral sector.
Editor Merle Clark
The Department of Higher Education and Training hosted the World Skills South Africa National Competition, Conference and Career Festival 2024 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban from 01 February 2024 to 03 February 2024.
The Mining Qualifications Authority was proud to partner with Murray & Roberts Cementation to showcase some artisan-related career options that learners can pursue.
The Honourable Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Mr Buti Manamela, addressed the learners during the event’s official opening.
The career festival targeted 6,000 learners from high schools in Durban and surrounding areas. They welcomed the address by the Deputy Minister while showing keen interest in trying their hands at one of the many interactive exhibition stands demonstrating various artisan skills.
The Deputy Minister explored the exhibition stands to see what the participating exhibitors were ready to offer.
An incredible learning moment was captured as Mr Devendran Perumal and Mr Bheki Khoza demonstrated the Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) in the process of underground hard rock mining at the MQA stand. The experience instilled an unwavering enthusiasm in the young minds, as many spent much time enquiring about the entire process and other work areas in the mining sector.
MQA Board Ms Tshepo Tlhapane, Dr Kenneth Netshiombo and Mr Reuben Gibb Motlou were accompanied by MQA CEO Dr Thabo Mashongoane as they spent some minutes at the MQA exhibition stand, spending some time engaging with the MQA staff members and some of the stakeholders attending the World Skills South Africa Conference.
Multiple exhibitors continued showcasing their expertise to the ambitious young learners who made their way to the exhibition centre on the second day. The equipment and machinery displayed provided practical experiences that elevated the learners’ knowledge and skills.
The MQA CEO, Dr Mashongoane, visited the MQA stand again, accompanied by the INSETA CEO, Ms Gugu Mkhize, to explore the underground mining area and functional tools utilised in mining as displayed on the monitor provided, with a detailed explanation from the MQA’s exhibition partners Mr Devendran Perumal and Mr Bheki Khoza from Murray & Roberts Cementation.
On the third and last day of the event, doors were open to members of the public from Durban and nearby areas. Both young and old grabbed the learning opportunity with both hands and came out in numbers to take full advantage of the life-changing career festival.
welding, IT network systems administration, and electrical installations. The winners were rewarded with medals and trophies, and this triumph earned them the privilege of being counted amongst the teams that will travel to France to participate in the World Skills International Competition in September 2024.
The MQA staff members were grateful to have collaborated with the Murray & Roberts Cementation team, who worked diligently to deliver an impactful exhibition to the people of Durban from 01 to 03 February 2024.
It was a great honour and privilege for the MQA to participate in the World Skills South Africa National Competition, Conference, and Career Festival 2024. The MQA would like to extend its gratitude to the Department of Higher Education and Training for the invitation and looks forward to similar future collaborations.
The year 2024 represents 30 years since the first Mining Indaba event was hosted to gather the global mining industry on the African continent to lead conversations, developments and change in the mining sector. This year’s event, hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, also coincided with the 30 years of democracy in South Africa. The MQA was proud to be part of this milestone.
This year’s event, was held under the theme, “Embracing the power of positive disruption: A bold new future for African mining.”
The Customer Service and Communication Manager, Ms Amanda Masilo, engaged with delegates on the various learning programmes offered by the MQA as well as highlighting the impact of MQA learning programmes as was demonstrated by the stunning jewellery from Ms Noxolo Mseleku of Elagante ZA, one of the MQA’s jewellery beneficiaries.
Some of the esteemed delegates that visited the MQA stand included the President of the National Union of Mineworkers, Mr Daniel Balepile, and the NUM Deputy General Secretary, Mr Mpho Phakedi, graced the MQA stand with their presence.
Additionally the National Chairperson of the South African Women in Mining Association Ms Innocent Khathi Mthonsi, and Treasurer General Ms Fezeka Mavuso, also took a moment to chat and engage with the MQA team.
The MQA CEO, Dr Thabo Mashongoane, and Executive Manager Corporate Services, Mr Mashudu Mavungu, commended of the MQA beneficiaries, Mr Nqobile Nkosi, entrepreneur and owner of NQ Jewellery Design Services (Pty) Ltd, for his excellent efforts his and notable contribution towards impactful MQA skills development programmes.
On a special note, the Honourable Minister of Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe, had a moment to spare
The Honourable Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Mr Gwede Mantashe sharing a laugh with MQA staff members
out of his day’s frantic schedule to visit the MQA stand as part of his walkabout at the South African Pavilion to engage with all state-owned entities serving and representing the rich and diverse South African mining and minerals sector.
Delegates continued visiting the MQA stand on the second day of the event to learn more about the organisation’s services for the mining and minerals sector. One these delegates was former MQA Board Member Mr Vusi Mabena.
MQA CEO, Dr Mashongoane, was also given an opportunity to conduct a successful interview with African Mining TV at the event. The video can be accessed through the link: https://youtu. be/3gcVWBwnTyA.
On the third day of the event, an increasing number of stakeholders made their way to the MQA stand, and this served as a great encouragement as more of these were new entrants in the mining and minerals sector.
The fourth and final day of the event saw exhibitors preparing to wind down following an action-packed three days of intensive and interactive engagements with various industry stakeholders from all continents, during which they explored innovative ideas for future strategies for the mining industry.
It was a pleasure to witness the efforts and dedication undertaken by various stakeholders in engagements and discussions centring around the future of the mining industry.
The MQA conducted its 2024 National Stakeholder Engagement Forums from 29 January 2024 to 01 March 2024 to meet with MQA stakeholders in all nine South African for discussions that centred on impactful skills development programmes, and to provide a platform for the stakeholders to provide contributions into the MQA’s various learning programmes and policies.
Staff members from various MQA business units including such as Learning Programmes, Monitoring and Evaluation, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Stakeholder Relations, provided detailed presentations on their key roles in the MQA’s learning programmes.
The Learning Programmes Unit provided an overview of the MQA’s programmes, including learnerships (artisan and non-artisan), internships, the Centre of Specialisation project, candidacy, and work experience programmes.
Presenters also addressed the criteria required to qualify for discretionary grants offered by the MQA, indicating that the grants are provided to MQA registered employers and MQA Skills Development Providers. They also emphasised that employers not exempted from levy payments must pay levies to qualify for grants, and those with primary and
subsidiary levy numbers should provide them when applying for discretionary grants.
In discussing the MQA’s research agenda. The Skills Development and Research Unit highlighted the unit’s research topics that include, but are not limited to, WSP/ ATR and trend analysis, exploring the nature and future of AET programmes in the mining and minerals sector, and developing a framework to determine future skills needs in the mining and minerals sector. Stakeholders are encouraged to visit the MQA website for more information.
The Stakeholder Relations Unit presented the mandate of regional offices, emphasising the MQA’s commitment to supporting all its stakeholders, advocating for the organisation’s programmes and project implementation, and participating in career guidance events for learners and educators.
Additionally, the presentation covered the MQA’s mine community development initiative, which is aimed at facilitating and supporting the training of mine communities on skills so that they are sustainable and also support retrenched workers to gain other portable skills. These initiatives are Mine Community Development for ages 18 to
65, Unemployed Youth Development for ages 18 to 35, and Small-Scale Mining for ages 18 to 65.
During the Quality Assurance Unit’s presentation, stakeholders made aware of the quality assurance procedures, highlighting the Ministerial Determination Notice 1391 of 2020 (obtainable from the Government Gazette No 44031, dated 24 December 2020) which provided guidance on qualifications registration dates.
Presenters engaged on the deadline of 30 June 2023 for qualifications obtained before 2009, and that learners can still enrol for pre2009 qualifications until 30 June 2024. The achievement for learners enrolled for pre-2009 qualifications and unit standards will close on 30 June 2027.
It was also indicated that all registered QCTO qualifications have been reviewed since they expired, and Skills Development Providers are advised to refrain from applying for accreditation.
The Risk, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit elaborated on the unit’s processes.
They addressed challenges such as training institutions that need to provide qualificationbased training and learners not receiving stipends on time as stipulated in their MQA contracts.
They also highlighted the Risk, Monitoring and Evaluation core deliverables, which include tracer studies, learner verifications and fraud prevention strategies that are applied to resolve these issues.
Some of the MQA’s valued stakeholders attended the Stakeholder Engagement Forum event to engage the MQA on its upcoming projects and other significantly relevant matters.
The MQA CEO, Dr Thabo Mashongoane accompanied by an MQA delegation, was welcomed by a number of Vice Chancellors and management representatives from various higher education institutions during his visits in the fourth quarter of the financial year. The objective of the visits were to amongst others, enlighten the institutions about the skills development initiatives that the MQA is implementing, establish partnerships, and create a platform for engagement. The MQA entered into memorandums of understanding with some of the institutions displaying their commitment to future relationships.
The institutions that the MQA engaged with during the quarter included:
• The University of the Free State on 22 January 2024 where they met the Vice-Chancellor Principal Professor Francis Petersen and his leadership team.
• The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on 12 February 2024, engaging with Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, who is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal accompanied by his delegation.
• The Durban University of Technology (DUT) on 22 February 2024 at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel, where they met Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, the institution’s Registrar who represented the Vice-Chancellor Professor Thandwa Mthembu. Dr Nkonoane was accompanied by the institutions management team.
• The Sol Plaatjie University on 06 March 2024, where the MQA met the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew Crouch and his management.
• The Northern Cape Urban TVET College in March 2024, where the MQA was welcomed by the College Deputy Principal of Academic Services, Ms Elizabeth Musi, together with her leadership team.
• The University of Venda on 11 March 2024, where the MQA delegation met with Professor Ndanduleni Nthambeleni, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal with his management team.
• The MQA visited both Capricorn and Waterberg TVET College on 12 March 2024. The MQA was welcomed by
Ms Mary Ramonyatse, Deputy Principal for Innovation and Development accompanied by Ms Freda Vosser, Acting Deputy Principal of the college.
• The University of Pretoria (UP) on 14 March 2024 where the MQA team met with university’s Interim ViceChancellor and Principal, Professor Themba Mosia, and his team who highlighted that the university currently participates in the MQA’s Bursary Scheme Project, which has supported over 300 students in attaining mining-related qualifications over the last five years. Ms Ronel Dijksma, Deputy Director of Finance extended the university’s gratitude to the MQA for supporting bursars as well as the thirteen (13) university staff members on the lecturer support project.
The institutions’ were encouraged by the MQA’s visit. They were able to engage meaningfully with the MQA following the presentation that was conducted. They stated that the partnerships established will go a long way to supporting financially disadvantaged students in pursuing their career goals without the financial constraints common to young people from disadvantaged communities. They also valued the in-person approach by the MQA CEO, stating that it will go a long way towards improved engagement, as well as create innovative avenues for the parties to collaborate in order to foster long-term partnerships, with all parties committed to a common goal.
IVANA BUNT GOLDSMITH
1. Briefly describe your personal and educational background.
I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but grew up in Gaborone, Botswana. After matriculating in 2018, I took a bold step to move across countries to pursue the career of my dreams. In 2021, I graduated with a Diploma in Jewellery Design & Manufacture at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. After that, I began on an MQA internship programme as a goldsmith at Solid Gold and Gem Creations.
2. What does your occupation entail/involve?
My occupation is multifaceted and involves designing ideas and concepts, hand-manufacturing or metalworking, and manipulating gold and other precious metals into desired forms using various techniques, such as soldering and hammering. Business management, such as marketing, pricing, stock taking, and customer interaction, are key job responsibilities.
3. What inspired your choice of career?
From a young age, I enjoyed being creative. Like most young girls, I loved jewellery and had a genuine curiosity about how it was made. When I saw it listed as a field of study, I knew I had to find out what it was all about.
4. How has the MQA assisted you in your career development?
By providing me with the opportunity to gain work experience and become employable.
5. What benefits have you gained as an MQA beneficiary?
As an MQA beneficiary, I received a monthly allowance covering my daily expenses while on the internship programme. I also had adequate equipment and machinery and the privilege of being mentored by skilled goldsmiths
in the jewellery industry, which enabled my skill set to grow beyond what I thought possible.
6. What type of challenges did you encounter before the MQA’s assistance?
Before I began my internship, I was looking for job opportunities. However, I found that a major requirement for most opportunities was at least two years of work experience, which made the job search very limited and difficult.
7. How would you encourage someone who would like to follow in your footsteps?
I would encourage them to “Go for it and embrace the learning process. Stay inspired by exploring different styles, techniques, and materials. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and resources that will support and guide you. And most importantly, believe in your strengths and capabilities.”
8. What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?
Apart from graduating, crafting a halo pave ring unassisted is one of my most significant accomplishments.
9. How far would you want to further your career?
I want to open my own jewellery business soon.
10. How do you think your career achievement will contribute to the mining and minerals sector?
I aspire to contribute positively to the mining industry by exclusively utilising sustainably and ethically sourced precious metals and gemstones in my work. Furthermore, I aim to raise public awareness about these principles and advocate for the recycling of old jewellery.
11. What would be your message to young aspiring individuals who would one day wish to follow in your footsteps?
I encourage them to do a lot of research about the jewellery industry, to learn as much as they can, and to remember that all things are possible if you have the determination, willpower, and perseverance to achieve them. Most importantly, never, ever give up.
