IN CONVERSATION WITH SIPHO STUURMAN ( SPOKESPERSON TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING)
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The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and South Africa’s leading e-commerce business, Takealot Group, have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen links between education and employment while boosting opportunities in the township economy.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, at Takealot Group’s Distribution Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, was led by Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Mimmy Gondwe.
“This partnership is about creating tangible education and training opportunities for students,” said Deputy Minister Gondwe. “I would like to thank the Takealot Group for investing in this vision and going the extra mile to support the township economy by helping young people list their businesses on e-commerce platforms. This agreement is one of five secured by my office so far.”
The Deputy Minister has long championed public-private partnerships as a key driver in tackling South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
Takealot Group CEO Frederik Zietsman welcomed the agreement, describing it as a natural extension of the company’s Township Economy Initiative. “Today’s MoU builds on our agreements in Mpumalanga and Gauteng and now takes them national, with clear roles, measurable outcomes, and shared accountability. As a homegrown South African business, we are committed to using our platform, logistics, and expertise to accelerate skills development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth,” said Zietsman.
The MoU focuses on four key areas designed to boost skills and unlock opportunities for young South Africans:
Adoption of TVET and Community Colleges: Students will benefit from Work Integrated Learning opportunities directly with Takealot in logistics, e-commerce, and technology. Industry experts will also support curriculum development to align learning with workforce needs.
Expansion of the Takealot Bursary Programme: The bursary scheme will be doubled in reach, with DHET matching Takealot’s funding. Students in priority areas such as ICT, logistics, and e-commerce retail will be the main beneficiaries.
Distribution of Textbooks: Takealot’s logistics network will ensure efficient nationwide delivery of textbooks to university and college students.
Collaboration with SETAs: SETAs and Takealot will work together to support township entrepreneurs and SMMEs. Takealot’s MrD platform will also be used to connect township-owned restaurants and small businesses with online customers.
To ensure effective implementation, a four-member steering committee has been established to oversee the MoU’s progress and accountability.
This landmark partnership signals a major step forward in aligning higher education with the needs of a rapidly changing digital economy while empowering young people and township businesses to thrive in South Africa’s growing e-commerce sector.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, at Takealot Group’s Distribution Centre in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, was led by Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Mimmy Gondwe.
“This partnership is about creating tangible education and training opportunities for students,” said Deputy Minister Gondwe. “I would like to thank the Takealot Group for investing in this vision and going the extra mile to support the township economy by helping young people list their businesses on e-commerce platforms. This agreement is one of five secured by my office so far.”
The Deputy Minister has long championed public-private partnerships as a key driver in tackling South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
Takealot Group CEO Frederik Zietsman welcomed the agreement, describing it as a natural extension of the company’s Township Economy Initiative. “Today’s MoU builds on our agreements in Mpumalanga and Gauteng and now takes them national, with clear roles, measurable outcomes, and shared accountability. As a homegrown South African business, we are committed to using our platform, logistics, and expertise to accelerate skills development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth,” said Zietsman.
The MoU focuses on four key areas designed to boost skills and unlock opportunities for young South Africans:
Adoption of TVET and Community Colleges: Students will benefit from Work Integrated Learning opportunities directly with Takealot in logistics, e-commerce, and technology. Industry experts will also support curriculum development to align learning with workforce needs.
Expansion of the Takealot Bursary Programme: The bursary scheme will be doubled in reach, with DHET matching Takealot’s funding. Students in priority areas such as ICT, logistics, and e-commerce retail will be the main beneficiaries.
Distribution of Textbooks: Takealot’s logistics network will ensure efficient nationwide delivery of textbooks to university and college students.
Collaboration with SETAs: SETAs and Takealot will work together to support township entrepreneurs and SMMEs. Takealot’s MrD platform will also be used to connect township-owned restaurants and small businesses with online customers.
To ensure effective implementation, a four-member steering committee has been established to oversee the MoU’s progress and accountability.
This landmark partnership signals a major step forward in aligning higher education with the needs of a rapidly changing digital economy while empowering young people and township businesses to thrive in South Africa’s growing e-commerce sector.
