- Thirty lecturers from South Africa’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges were this week honoured in Pretoria for successfully completing an intensive Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training Programme, equipping them to lead the charge in one of the country’s most exciting new energy sectors.
The milestone ceremony, held on Monday (19 May) at the University of Pretoria, recognized these educators (18 males and 12 females) from seven TVET colleges who successfully completed the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training Programme, which is an initiative of the Res4Africa Foundation in partnership with the Sasol Foundation and Enel Foundation, under the Re-skilling Lab platform.
The course, which concluded in April, trained lecturers from the Flavius Mareka, Gert Sibande, Goldfields, Motheo, Maluti, Nkangala, and Tshwane North TVET Colleges. Participants were selected based on academic and technical criteria defined by the University of Pretoria, ensuring that the programme targeted lecturers most capable of transferring their newly acquired skills to students across the country.
Designed as a “train-the-trainer” course, the programme combined theory with hands-on learning in hydrogen fuel cell system chemical safety, set up, and ongoing maintenance. It was delivered through a joint effort involving experts from the University of Pretoria, Enel Foundation and Sasol Foundation, supported by leading industry players and institutional partners whose collaboration underpins the scale and reach of the Re-skilling Lab initiative. Experts from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Bambili Energy, RINA Consulting, RIIS, Hydrogen de France, and the EU Delegation contributed to the discussions.
Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation, stated, “This programme goes beyond training; it creates a knowledge base that will remain within local institutions. These lecturers are now key enablers of South Africa’s green hydrogen vision, helping to prepare a new generation of technicians and energy professionals. The Closing Ceremony is not just a celebration but a call to continue investing in skills that will help build a resilient, low-carbon future.”
The event brought together stakeholders from across the green energy, education, and development sectors. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) shared insights into the country’s green hydrogen roadmap, while Sasol, EWSETA, Hydrogen de France, Bambili Energy, and others joined panel discussions on local innovation and job creation.
The atmosphere was charged with purpose and pride as lecturers shared powerful personal testimonies about the programme’s impact on their teaching and institutions. A certificate handover ceremony sealed their achievement.
Tshamani Mathebula, Head of the Sasol Foundation, praised the lecturers for their commitment and urged continued investment in future-focused skills: “By collaborating with the RES4Africa Foundation and Enel Foundation to empower these 30 TVET lecturers, we’re not just ticking a training box, we are igniting a national movement. These educators will be at the frontline of South Africa’s green hydrogen economy. This is how we build a bright, inclusive and sustainable future for South Africa, and we are just getting started.”
A huge congratulations to the 30 lecturers who have completed the programme, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact they will make in their institutions and beyond.
What makes this programme significant is its long-term vision: to embed green hydrogen knowledge into the heart of the vocational education system. Every TVET lecturer trained means hundreds of students gaining exposure to clean energy technologies that are shaping global industries. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Training Programme is part of a broader effort by the Sasol Foundation and its partners to support South Africa’s just energy transition and unlock new economic opportunities for young people across the country.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
