Sector education and training authority the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) will host the 2025-2026 Mining Skills Lekgotla at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand, Gauteng, on February 26 and 27.

The lekgotla provides a formal platform for the MQA to account to stakeholders on its performance, engage on sector priorities and facilitate dialogue on challenges and opportunities affecting skills development in the mining and minerals sector.

The expected outcomes of the lekgotla are enhanced stakeholder engagement, deeper understanding of automation and digitisation in the mining and minerals sector and agreement on entrepreneurial programmes that support job creation for mine communities and youth.

Further, the lekgotla will also guide reskilling and upskilling plans aligned to future world-of-work demands and strengthen the MQA’s responsiveness to clearly defined stakeholder training needs to ensure that employees and unemployed youth are equipped with relevant and practical skills for the evolving sector.

The first day of the conference will include a plenary session, keynote addresses, panel discussions on contemporary and future-focused issues, career-guidance exhibitions and the Mining and Minerals Sector Recognition Awards gala dinner.

The second day will focus on the feedback from panel discussions, continued engagement on identified priorities and the career exhibition.

The dedicated career exhibition is designed for high school learners from disadvantaged communities. It will run concurrently with the event and benefit many learners over the two days, as well as promote awareness of career pathways in the mining and minerals sector.

The exhibition will include interactive sessions, mentorship opportunities and guidance to help learners make informed decisions about future careers in mining.

The upcoming biennial Mining Skills Lekgotla will coincide with the MQA's thirtieth anniversary and its theme will be “30 Years of Skills Development Excellence – Mining Future Skills for Empowerment – Together”.

The lekgotla will celebrate the milestone, as well as promote the work of the skills development sector. It will highlight the central role played by the MQA in the implementation of the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP).

Newly appointed MQA chairperson Dr Nomusa Zethu Qunta and the newly appointed board and committee members, who will serve during the NSDP term to 2030, will also be at the lekgotla.