The Sasol Kagiso Skills Competition is currently underway across various provinces, showcasing the power of technical and vocational education. The Eastern Cape Technical Skills Competition was the first to be hosted by Port Rex Technical High School, in Berea, East London, Eastern Cape Province, from 28 to 30 August 2026, bringing together learners, educators, adjudicators, officials and industry stakeholders to showcase technical skills, innovation and practical learning. The competition was supported through a partnership between the Sasol Foundation, Kagiso Trust, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
The competition provided learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their practical abilities whilst gaining valuable exposure to equipment, workshops, and industry-related skills. Learners participated in various technical skills competitions, demonstrating their knowledge, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and practical skills. Officials emphasised that the competition was not only about winning, but also about developing skills that can prepare learners for further studies, apprenticeships, employment, and entrepreneurship.
The event highlighted the importance of strengthening technical education in the Eastern Cape Province. Mr Phumzile Mashalaba, Project Manager of the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant in the Eastern Cape Education Department, emphasised the need to expose learners to technical subjects, workshops, and practical learning from an early stage, whilst ensuring that schools make effective use of equipment and resources provided to them.
The final day focused on the curriculum landscape and technical education, followed by an awards ceremony, where outstanding learners were recognised for their achievements. FET Curriculum Director, Mr Mlungiseleli Njomeni, encouraged the winners of the competition, who will be representing the province during the national competition later this year, to strive for excellence and to make the Eastern Cape Province proud.
The event concluded with words of appreciation to the learners, educators, adjudicators, organisers, sponsors, and partners for their contribution to the success of the competition. “The three-day event reaffirmed the importance of practical education in equipping learners with skills, confidence, and the knowledge to pursue further education, employment and entrepreneurship,” said Dr Cynthia Malinga, from the Sasol Foundation.
The Sasol Skills Technical Skills Competition is where knowledge meets action. Competitors put their technical expertise, precision, and problem-solving abilities to the test, demonstrating the real-world skills required to thrive in today’s world of work. From hands-on tasks to challenging technical activities, every session is an opportunity to learn, innovate and showcase excellence, building skills, inspiring innovation, and shaping the future. The competition was held in the Mpumalanga Province at the Hoër Tegniese Skool (HTS) in Witbank in the Mpumalanga Province from 28 to 29 August, in the Free State Province at the Louis Botha Technical High School in Bloemfontein from 3 to 5 September, and will continue across the KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and North West Provinces from 11 to 12 September 2026.