By Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Provincial Government, led Premier Mandla Ndlovu, and the University of Mpumalanga have signed a MoU(Memorandum of Understanding), in Mbombela, to collaborate on initiatives promoting socio-economic development, as a significant step towards addressing the province’s pressing challenges of unemployment and economic growth.
The MoU, scheduled to remain in force for five years with the option for renewal, furthermore aims to leverage the university’s expertise in agriculture, agro-processing, and research to drive economic address skills shortages.
Speaking during the meeting, Premier Ndlovu said the MoU culminates from a prior engagement held between the provincial government and UMP’s Chairperson, Sabelo Mahlalela, accompanied by Vice Chancellor, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, on 3 February 2026.
“This is not just a formal signing ceremony; it is a public declaration of intent by two key institutions to collaborate in a structured and sustained manner to promote the social, economic, and intellectual development of Mpumalanga’s people.
“ Universities are not ivory towers removed from society; they are engines of transformation. They are incubators of innovation and catalysts for economic growth. They play a critical role in shaping society by producing skilled graduates, generating new knowledge, and supporting innovation,” said Premier Ndlovu.
According to the Premier, the current unemployment rate in the province is sitting at 32.3% with 26.4% of unemployed youth graduates, and 14.4% unemployed graduates. He said highlighted the urgent need to diversify the skills young people acquire from institutions of higher learning.
The long term goals will reportedly include piloting large-scale hybrid rice production which is expected to create 388,000 employment opportunities and contribute R40.32 billion annually to the provincial economy, supporting emerging farmers and small-scale farmers through the Agro-Fund blended finance programme, and establishing a joint Steering Committee to oversee and coordinate initiatives under the MoU.
“ As the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, we commit to playing a central and enabling role in driving this partnership forward.
The Premier mentioned some of the interventions by government to address unemployment and steer economic growth include a three-year agreement reportedly signed with the NEF in September 2025 for a blended finance of R300 million, which will contribute towards sustaining 640 existing jobs and create 1,950 new employment.
He also mentioned the International Fresh Produce Market which is expected to create 156 jobs on the market floor, a total of 150 000 subsistence farmers and small scale farmers will have access to trade their produce. A total of 1 600 SMME’s, four per ward will be reportedly supported to start their own business that will trade their produce with the market.
The meeting also attended by UMP Vice Chancellor, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, UMP Chairperson Sabelo Mahlalela, Mpumalanga Director General, Maggie Skosana, various Members of the Executive Council.
