Deputy Minister Gina to Address Women’s Day Event at Elangeni TVET College in Durban
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Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, will speak at a Women’s Day event at the Elangeni Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Durban, on Friday. The celebration, themed ‘Empowered Women, Empower Women’ will focus on promoting women’s empowerment. It will highlight the role of science, technology, and innovation in achieving gender equality, while also addressing socio-economic barriers through skills development and education. The keynote address will underscore how harnessing innovation and knowledge can open pathways for women to thrive in education, careers, and entrepreneurship, ensuring no woman is left behind. Elangeni TVET College’s Women’s Day programme is part of its ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, empowering educational spaces. The event will also feature an address by the principal of Elangeni TVET College, a motivational session from a Higher Health psychologist, a health talk by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and interactive sessions on financial literacy and personal care.
Event Details and Schedule
The Women’s Day celebration is set for Friday, 15 August 2025, starting at 08:00 at the Elangeni TVET College Pinetown Campus, located at 38 Bamboo Lane in Pinetown, Durban. This gathering comes as part of South Africa’s broader Women’s Month activities, which honour the historic 1956 march by women against apartheid pass laws and continue to push for gender equality today. The theme ‘Empowered Women, Empower Women’ encourages women to support each other in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in various fields.
Attendees can look forward to a full day of inspiring talks and practical sessions designed to equip women with tools for personal and professional growth. The programme kicks off with an address from the college principal, who will share insights on the institution’s efforts to foster a supportive environment for female students and staff. This will be followed by Deputy Minister Gina’s keynote, where she will delve into how science, technology, and innovation can break down barriers and create inclusive pathways for women in education and the workforce.
Other highlights include a motivational talk by a psychologist from Higher Health, an organisation that promotes wellness in higher education settings. This session aims to boost mental resilience and self-confidence among participants. A health discussion led by experts from the Heart and Stroke Foundation will cover key issues like heart disease prevention, nutrition, and lifestyle choices that affect women’s well-being. The day will wrap up with hands-on workshops on financial literacy, teaching budgeting and saving skills, and personal care routines to enhance self-esteem and daily health.
Focus on Women’s Empowerment Through Science and Innovation
The event places a strong emphasis on the transformative power of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for women. Deputy Minister Gina is expected to highlight real-world examples of how innovation can address gender gaps, such as through digital tools that improve access to education and job opportunities. She will stress the importance of skills training in TVET colleges to prepare women for careers in growing sectors like renewable energy, digital technology, and entrepreneurship.
This aligns with national goals to increase women’s participation in STEM, where they remain underrepresented despite progress. By focusing on these areas, the celebration aims to inspire young women to pursue vocational paths that lead to economic independence and leadership roles. Socio-economic challenges, like poverty and limited access to resources, will also be tackled, showing how education can be a key to breaking cycles of inequality.
Background on Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina
Nomalungelo Gina has been a vocal advocate for women in science and technology throughout her career. As Deputy Minister, she oversees initiatives that promote innovation and gender equality in South Africa’s development agenda. Just last week, on 8 August 2025, she delivered a keynote at the University of Pretoria’s Women in Science Symposium, urging greater recognition of women’s contributions to STEM and calling for strategies to build a stronger pipeline of female talent. There, she spoke on the theme ‘Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science’, celebrating trailblazers and emphasising the need for diversity in research and innovation.
Earlier, on 5 August 2025, Gina addressed the University of Zululand’s International Education Week, encouraging African universities to lead in artificial intelligence while preserving local cultures and languages. She highlighted the role of indigenous knowledge in technology, pushing for tools like robotics that teach in local languages. Her consistent message is that empowerment comes from blending global advancements with African identities, ensuring women are at the forefront of change.
Gina’s work extends to international platforms, such as leading South Africa’s delegation at the eLearning Africa Conference in May 2025, where she focused on digital education for a skilled workforce. These experiences make her an ideal speaker for the Elangeni event, where she will connect national policies to local community needs.
Elangeni TVET College’s Role in Community Upliftment
Elangeni TVET College has a long-standing dedication to inclusive education, particularly for women and underserved groups in KwaZulu-Natal. With campuses across Durban, including Pinetown, the college offers practical training in fields like engineering, business, and hospitality, helping students gain employable skills. Events like this Women’s Day programme are regular features, building on past celebrations that have included socio-economic talks and empowerment workshops.
In 2023, the college hosted a similar Women’s Day event with live streams, discussing women’s roles in society and economy. Today, it continues to create safe spaces for learning, with initiatives like entrepreneurship competitions and fundraising golf days to support student development. The Pinetown Campus, venue for this year’s event, is known for its vibrant community programmes that blend education with real-life skills.
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