The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has unveiled a R70 million historical debt relief program aimed at tackling youth unemployment and overcoming financial barriers preventing economic participation.
This pioneering initiative, introduced this week in partnership with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA), is focused on eliminating historical student debt for young graduates.
The program targets individuals aged 18 to 35 who have completed undergraduate studies in fields related to MerSETA.
Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, emphasized that this initiative forms part of a broader government commitment to empower youth and enhance skills development, especially among unemployed young people in the province.
“Between 2019 and 2024, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government made significant efforts to support education, clearing over R100 million in historical debt from its own funds. This assistance benefited nearly 5,000 graduates across the province’s four universities,” said Rantjie.
This new program builds on substantial progress made in recent years, during which 13 SETAs trained over 29,000 youth in critical skills areas, such as automotive assembly, renewable energy, digital forensics, and cloud computing.
Additionally, more than 8,000 young people, including those with disabilities, have been trained in fields like animal and vegetable production, cellphone repairs, beauty services, and early childhood development through various partnerships.
Rantjie also highlighted the launch of the MerSETA Mega Skills Project, which provided essential skills to over 10,000 additional young individuals.
Eligible graduates from Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes University, the University of Fort Hare, and eight Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across the province can apply for this R70 million debt relief program. The participating TVET colleges are Ingwe, Ikhala, Buffalo City College, East Cape Midlands College, King Hintsa, King Sabata Dalindyebo, PE College, and Lovedale.
Rantjie added that MerSETA has also dedicated funds specifically to address historical student debt at Walter Sisulu University, managed directly by the university.
Eligibility Criteria
Funding is available to graduates who have completed undergraduate qualifications in Operations Management, Financial Accounting, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Process Engineering, Metallurgy, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, or Marketing.
Applicants must be South African citizens from the Eastern Cape, aged 18 to 35, who have completed a relevant MerSETA-related qualification and hold outstanding debt at any participating institution.
“Eligible graduates should contact their respective institutions directly to formally request funding. In 2023 alone, historical debt at the University of Fort Hare reached R151 million, impacting around 2,383 students. This has driven the provincial government to seek strategic partnerships to assist these youth,” Rantjie explained.
“This debt relief initiative underscores the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s dedication to equipping young people with the necessary tools to thrive in today’s economy. By resolving student debt and providing critical skills training, the province is creating avenues for meaningful employment and sustained economic growth,” concluded Rantjie.
Facebook Comments