On 16 September, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa hosted the 2025 Send-off Ceremony for South African TVET Students Departing for China. Minister Qin Zhanpeng attended and delivered remarks. Attendees included Temwa Moyo, Acting Director of International Scholarships, Mathelemusa Khathu, Assistant Director of Directorate: Asia, Americas, and Europe, and other officials from the the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), as well as 43 South African TVET teachers and students departing for China.

In his address, Minister Qin emphasized that vocational education is the backbone of skills development, industry growth, and employment creation. He noted that leaders of both China and South Africa have taken education and youth development cooperation a top priority. In recent years, both sides have worked to expand and deepen cooperation in vocational education. Minister Qin encouraged the students to use the opportunity to sharpen their technical skills, experience Chinese society with open minds, and serve as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries. He expressed hope that they would come back as skilled professionals, ready to build South Africa’s future and contribute to their communities . The students pledged to work diligently, to give back to society through their achievements, and contribute to the enduring friendship between South Africa and China.

The South African government has launched multiple vocational education programmes this year, including this one, enabling South African students to pursue studies, internships and training opportunities in China. All costs are fully covered by DHET. The Department expressed gratitude to the Embassy for its strong and consistent support in facilitating vocational education projects and for the timely issuance of visas.