“VUT and Eskom partnership powers STEMI and Winter School, inspiring learners and shaping South Africa’s future STEM leaders.”
29 August 2025 | Story By: Nontobeko Moimane | Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), in partnership with Eskom, has taken a decisive step in shaping South Africa’s future, marking a milestone with the official handover of a donation for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) programme and the 2026 Winter School initiative.
More than a financial contribution, the handover represents a shared vision to empower learners, widen access to STEM education, and build a robust pipeline of graduates ready to confront South Africa’s most urgent developmental challenges.
VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Khehla Ndlovu, welcomed Eskom leaders with a message of gratitude and determination. “Eskom has made a bold choice to keep this project alive. At a time when many would retreat, Eskom has leaned forward. This is not charity; it is strategic vision. By supporting this project, you are not only keeping the lights on in homes and industries, but lighting up futures, fuelling innovation, and enabling learners to step into careers they never imagined possible.”
Professor Ndlovu added that the impact of the partnership stretches far beyond VUT itself. “It touches classrooms, families and communities. It creates opportunities where there was despair before. This proves what can happen when institutions come together with clarity of purpose.”
Representing Eskom, Ms Mologadi Motshele, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation, spoke passionately about the company’s commitment to enabling meaningful change through education. “This is not just about STEMI or the Winter School; it is about unlocking opportunities for future generations. We want to do impactful things. We want to see girls and boys groomed for greatness, equipped to transform their communities and our nation. This is a shared vision with VUT, and together we will achieve results with intention.”
Dr Nalini Pillay, Corporate Specialist for Eskom Research, Testing and Development, reinforced the message, highlighting the importance of STEMI in shaping South Africa’s future. “STEMI is not about academic excellence alone; it is about building a society where every voice is heard and valued. To the young women: you are not the next generation, you are the now generation. You are the innovators who will empower those who come after you. When girls rise in STEMI, South Africa rises with them.”
Echoing this sentiment, Professor Christa Grobler, Executive Dean of VUT’s Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences, expressed her gratitude and emphasised the transformative power of initiatives like the Winter School. “This is more than a handover; it is a celebration of what is possible when industry and academia unite for progress. The Winter School will expand opportunities for learners, inspire future innovators, and strengthen VUT’s commitment to inclusive excellence.”
The 2026 Winter School will provide high school learners with exposure to university-level STEM education, mentorship, and hands-on research experiences, opening pathways to careers in science, engineering and technology.
The ceremony underscored a critical truth: partnerships between academia and industry remain vital in building climate-smart, sustainable and future-ready graduates who will lead South Africa into its next era of innovation.