On 23 January, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa hosted a welcome event for the 2025/26 graduates of the Department of Higher Education and Training–China Technical Vocational Education and Training International Scholarship Programme. Ambassador Wu Peng and Deputy Minister of DHET Nomusa Dube-Ncube attended and delivered addresses. Nearly 100 participants were present, including the 36 graduates, representatives of Chinese enterprises in South Africa, and members of the media.

In his address, Ambassador Wu congratulated the the first group of students from South African public TVET colleges for successfully completing the training program. He noted that the program was funded by South Africa and enjoys active support from China, creating a new model of vocational training featuring government support, embassy facilitation, and strong college–enterprise collaboration. Through training in new energy vehicles, the program enables students to be fully equipped to get a job upon graduation, offering a replicable and scalable road-map for future vocational training. Ambassador Wu encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to their future careers and business endeavors, and contribute their wisdom to South Africa’s industrial development and China-South Africa friendship.

Deputy Minister Dube-Ncube remarked in her address that the program is part of South Africa’s long-standing collaboration with China in various areas of higher education and training, which continues to grow and support South Africa’s knowledge and skills development. She reiterated South Africa’s commitment to fostering more partnerships to provide opportunities that translate into tangible benefits for the youth of South Africa.

The event took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Graduate representatives shared their learning experiences in China and engaged in lively discussions with representatives of the Chinese enterprises present.