The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has given hope to about 25 promising beneficiaries of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority’s (W&RSETA) Cellphone Repairs Programme and the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Development Programme through the handover of 25 fully equipped cellphone repair containers.

The handover is a step towards revitalising the township economy and creating sustainable opportunities for young people living in the Vaal Triangle. The programme forms part of the Minister’s broader efforts to expand access to practical skills, entrepreneurship opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

Since its inception in 2024, the Cellphone Repair Programme, implemented by W&RSETA in partnership with the South African Mobile Devices Distributors Repairs Association (SAMDDRA), has benefitted 326 South Africans.

Speaking at the handover, Manamela said government was committed to expanding the initiative and would seek to support at least 25 more entrepreneurs in the new year.

“The commitment that has been made by government and SETA is that they will expand, they will extend this commitment to a minimum of 25 more in the new year,” he said. Manamela urged SETAs to collaborate with W&RSETA to expand the programme and explore funding opportunities beyond government.

Manamela said telecommunications companies and mobile device manufacturers should be brought into efforts to support young entrepreneurs entering the cellphone repair industry.

“The private sector, the telecoms companies, the manufacturers that are endorsing some of the products and want to be specialists in those,” Manamela said.

Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Hassan Mako was grateful that the programme was officially launched in Emfuleni. He thanked the Minister for personally coming to Emfuleni to launch the programme, highlighting the importance of bringing skills and economic opportunities directly to communities.