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The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in partnership with Izakhiwo Imfundo Trust, will brief the media on Thursday, 30 June 2016, on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations on bursaries and scholarships for young South Africans. Izakhiwo Imfundo Trust is an independent public benefit trust established by Group Five in January 2013. The main objective of the Trust is to provide scholarships, bursaries, awards for research studies and teaching.

The five-year agreement which is aimed at addressing the dire technical skills shortage in key sectors of the South African economy, was concluded after detailed discussions between both organisations; which will see the Trust provide bursaries and financial assistance towards practical exposure, while DWS secures practical work with relevant local government structures after graduation.

Outside of the potential students, other applicants, who have completed their formal studies, but require practical training to complete their qualifications, will be sponsored by the Trust as they complete their practical work exposure that will be facilitated by DWS.

Mr Eric Vemer, Group five CEO said; “The private sector needs to play an active role in accelerating technical skills development; this is key to the implementation of South Africa’s National Infrastructure Plan. This strategic human resources development partnership with DWS provides the Trust with a great opportunity to contribute towards addressing the skills gaps in South Africa, especially in the water sector which is one of the key sectors in the economy.”

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane who will be the main speaker at the event is passionate about partnerships between the public and private sectors and this initiative which highlights the need for government and the private sector to collaborate in enhancing the nation’s capacity-building efforts. This collaboration will ensure sustainable development and strengthened technical skills development in support of the National Development Plan.


Issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation