South Africa and Switzerland formalized a partnership aimed at strengthening vocational training programs during a presidential visit that concluded on Wednesday. Deputy Minister Buti Manamela signed the technical education agreement while accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa during meetings held from Oct. 29 through Oct. 30. The arrangement seeks to expand involvement from Swiss businesses in apprenticeship systems that blend workplace experience with academic instruction.
Manamela emphasized opportunities for companies in sectors like manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to support curriculum development and direct training initiatives. Ramaphosa and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter toured a Wil-Uzwil training facility to observe methods that connect classroom lessons with job market demands. The minister met South African doctoral students studying in Switzerland through government scholarship programs and discussed improvements to academic support structures.
Separate discussions at the University of Bern addressed research partnerships in public health and environmental studies. Officials agreed to establish a bilateral university forum supporting faculty exchanges and joint doctoral programs. Manamela also presided over ceremonies returning spiritual objects to the Shiluvana Royal Family from a museum in Neuchâtel. The artifacts included divination items and a ceremonial staff taken by a missionary more than 100 years ago.
Manamela emphasized opportunities for companies in sectors like manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to support curriculum development and direct training initiatives. Ramaphosa and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter toured a Wil-Uzwil training facility to observe methods that connect classroom lessons with job market demands. The minister met South African doctoral students studying in Switzerland through government scholarship programs and discussed improvements to academic support structures.
Separate discussions at the University of Bern addressed research partnerships in public health and environmental studies. Officials agreed to establish a bilateral university forum supporting faculty exchanges and joint doctoral programs. Manamela also presided over ceremonies returning spiritual objects to the Shiluvana Royal Family from a museum in Neuchâtel. The artifacts included divination items and a ceremonial staff taken by a missionary more than 100 years ago.
