“VUT hosted the 2025 SABPP Regional Annual General Meeting, highlighting the importance of cooperative education and work-integrated learning in developing future-ready HR professionals. The event emphasised integrity, innovation, and regional partnership.”
18 August 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
3 minutes read time.
On 12 August 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), through its Cooperative Education Department within the Centre for Academic Development (CAD), in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, proudly hosted the 2025 South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) Regional Annual General Meeting. The gathering brought together leading Human Resources (HR) professionals and industry partners committed to strengthening human capital development in the Vaal region.
Opening the session, Ms Antoinette Lombard from VUT’s CAD Department emphasised the pivotal role HR leaders play in bridging the divide between academia and the world of work. “As VUT, we appreciate the continued leadership in championing Human Resources matters,” she said, adding that these partnerships are vital in shaping graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the workplace.
Guest speaker Mr Mzwakhe Nhlapho, Assistant Director of Training and Development at Midvaal Municipality, reflected on the successful collaboration between Midvaal and VUT since 2012. Commending the contributions of VUT’s Chemical Engineering students, he remarked, “The students made a huge contribution to the green and blue jobs statistics of the municipality.” He urged members to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics: “Let’s follow the code of conduct and practices to remain employed and employable. Confront unethical behaviour because it affects people.”
A highlight of the AGM was the presentation by Mr Edwin Mabelane, Industry Liaison Practitioner for Cooperative Education at VUT. He outlined the university’s structured Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programmes, which align academic curricula with real-world experience. These placements allow students to rotate through workplace roles, applying theory in practice while developing the skills most valued by employers.
Mr Mabelane stressed the mutual value of such partnerships: early engagement gives companies first access to emerging talent, reduces onboarding time, and cuts recruitment costs. Students bring fresh perspectives and the latest academic insights, fuelling innovation in the workplace. “We need to work together to define the skills and experiences you want students to gain,” he said, encouraging industry leaders to co-design learning experiences and maintain active feedback loops to meet evolving sector demands.
The AGM also saw the election of the Vaal region SABPP committee, with nine representatives from VUT among those appointed. The diverse panel, which includes VUT Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, Dr Josias Masoka, as one of the regional Chairs, will drive initiatives to address HR priorities in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
In closing, SABPP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Xolani Mawande, outlined national HR priorities, announcing 2025 as the “Year of Appreciation” and highlighting the upcoming National HR Day on 18 October. He congratulated the newly elected committee members and reinforced SABPP’s commitment to strengthening regional and national HR capacity.
The 2025 SABPP regional AGM underscored VUT’s leadership in forging strong industry–academia partnerships, equipping graduates with practical skills while driving innovation, employability, and sustainable regional growth.