The Mining Qualification Authority (MQA) is regarded as a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) operating in the Mining and Minerals Sector (MMS) in South Africa. In terms of the National Skills Development Plan, SETA’s remain an authoritative voice in the labour market and are experts in their respective sectors. Thus, SETAs are required to undertake sector and nationally commissioned research and data analysis to inform skills planning and interventions. The MQA partnered with Mthente to undertake research to understand the relationship between scarce and critical skills and the training interventions that are implemented in the MMS. The objectives of this research were to:

• Understand the nature of skills that are reported to be in demand in the MMS
• Understand the nature of supply of skills reported in the MMS
• Understand the relationship between the demand and supply of skills in the MMS
• Provide actionable recommendations that can improve the current skills training and    development landscape within the MMS

A mixed-methodology approach in the form of an in-depth literature review, secondary data analysis of WSP data, expert interviews and the development of 8 sub-sector case studies were used to answer the key research questions. Thereafter, Mthente provided a report that provided a contextual overview of skills and education in the MMS, an overview of the current skills gaps and skills development in the sector, case studies which can be used to guide skills development initiatives in the future followed by a recommendation section.

Mthente Research and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd (Mthente) was appointed to conduct a market analysis study commissioned by Save The Children South Africa (SCSA). SCSA through its Children on the Move Project (COM) focuses on children and youth considered highly vulnerable and at-risk due to the effects of migration. These are mainly unaccompanied and separated migrant children of different migratory categories such as asylum seekers, refugees, trafficked smuggled children, and economic migrants amongst others. According to Stats SA (2019), the provincial estimates show that while Gauteng Province has a migrant population of (25.8%), both Limpopo Province and Eastern Cape have a proportion of (33.3%) of migrants younger than 15 years old. Child protection actors which work with migrant children have raised concerns that migrant children seem predominantly limited to institutional facilities with no access to other forms of care and with limited options of existing pathways into independent living (UNICEF, 2020).

This assessment utilised a mixed-methods approach which included beneficiary (child-centred) surveys conducted with the target groups in Limpopo and Gauteng Province. The study also surveyed  employers from different sectors in Limpopo and Gauteng Province to identify the skill gaps that employers consider for employability. Beneficiary (child-centred) focus group discussions were conducted with children between 14-24 years, in five organisations across Limpopo and Gauteng Province, to assist in identifying the kinds of skills development initiatives that could be meaningful to them. Lastly, Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants from different organisations that all deal with children.

The study showed that there was a need for an array of skills development initiatives which need to be implemented to enhance the children’s employability and lessen the risk of their vulnerability once they reach 18 years old. Furthermore, organizations ought to place children in a program that will meet and fulfil their career goals. Therefore,  forming partnership between the organisation and some of training and life skills programs in the provinces present as an alternative option that can assist COM in South Africa post formal education.

The findings from the study was utilised to inform Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) on meaningful and life changing skills development options for Children On the Move (COM), between the ages of 14-24 years old in South Africa. The skills development options would also assist the children in having a higher chance of a successful transition into independent living. This study informed future COM interventions and key indicators geared towards migrant and vulnerable children.

Mthente was commissioned by the Arts and Culture Department (ACD) of the City of Cape Town to develop a Cultural Planning Framework for Delft in collaboration with Delft’s arts and culture stakeholders. The Framework included a detailed action planning in order to provide strategic direction.

The desired outcome of the research was to develop “a broad framework of long range goals to form the basis for more specific planning work in the future.  This work invovled extensive stakeholder engagement with the Delft community, local leaders, and people involved within arts and culture, which was supported by extensive secondary research on the area.

Mthente was commissioned by the Arts and Culture Department (ACD) of the City of Cape Town to ‘test’ their draft Cultural Mapping Toolkit  in the following previously mapped areas: Node 1: Bo-Kapp; Node 2: Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory; and Kalk Bay and Simonstown.  This ‘testing’ resulted in Mthente updatingj the Cultural Mapping Toolkit and undertaking a mapping study in Hanover Park.

Mthente was commissioned by the Arts and Culture Department (ACD) of the City of Cape Town to ‘test’ their draft Cultural Mapping Toolkit  in the following previously mapped areas: Node 1: Bo-Kaap; Node 2: Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory; and Node 3: Kalk Bay and Simonstown.

This ‘testing’ resulted in Mthente updating the Cultural Mapping Toolkit and undertaking a mapping study in Hanover Park.