Twenty-nine young South Africans take on 1 385 rivals in Shanghai

Twenty-nine young South Africans are competing against some of the world’s best young skilled professionals at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China.

The competition runs from 22 to 27 September 2026 and brings together young people, industry, academia and government leaders from around the world to promote excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Team South Africa is entered in 27 skills categories, among them Mechatronics, Aircraft Maintenance, Plumbing and Heating, Refrigeration, Construction and Water Technology.

The delegation is led by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube and includes Department of Higher Education and Training Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi and National Skills Fund Acting Chief Executive Officer Melissa Erra.

This year’s event has drawn a record 1 385 competitors from 68 countries and regions, according to the government’s account of the competition. The gathering also allows WorldSkills member countries to exchange knowledge and benchmark their approaches to skills development.

South Africa’s route to Shanghai ran through the WorldSkills South Africa Regional Heats and National Competition in March 2026, where young skilled professionals competed for a place on the national team.

Speaking to SABC News in Shanghai, South African Renewable Energy competitor Simiso Biyela said the team intended to make the most of the opportunity.

“It is an exciting opportunity for myself, and also for all my counterparts. We will give it everything to ensure that we go home with a gold medal, particularly in our category,” Biyela said.

Dube-Ncube told the competitors that their place on the world stage had been earned. “You have earned your place on this global stage through hard work, discipline and excellence. You are representing yourselves, your families, your institutions and the many young South Africans who aspire to build meaningful careers through skills,” she said.

She encouraged the team to compete with confidence and pride and to demonstrate what South African skills can do.

For Sishi, the competition carries a message beyond medals. He said WorldSkills shows what is possible when young people are given the chance to develop and display technical ability, and that the country wants more young South Africans to see TVET colleges as institutions of opportunity and artisan careers as a route into employment and entrepreneurship.

South Africa needs more qualified artisans to support infrastructure, manufacturing and the wider economy, he said. “We therefore encourage young people to enter our TVET colleges in greater numbers, acquire the skills our economy needs and become part of building the South Africa we want.”

The National Skills Fund is one of the main funders of WorldSkills South Africa. It supports the country’s participation in the international competition and contributes to technical and vocational skills development, exposure to international standards and the strengthening of the skills pipeline.

Erra said the money should produce opportunities for young people after the competition ends. “Our investment in WorldSkills South Africa is an investment in the potential of our young people and, ultimately, in the future of our economy,” she said.

She called on industry to create pathways for young talent coming out of the programme, saying government could not do it alone. “Industry has an important role to play in providing opportunities for young people to apply and further develop their skills. We encourage industry to open its doors to the talent emerging from WorldSkills so that our investment in skills development translates into meaningful economic participation.”

Before the opening ceremony, Team South Africa took part in the One School, One Member programme and visited Sanda University’s Junhai Campus.

The National Skills Fund said the team’s participation is about more than medals. It is a platform that highlights the importance of raising skills standards, expanding opportunities and showing that technical and vocational skills can lead to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

This report is based on the South African Government News Agency’s account of the competition, which is a summary of the event rather than the competition’s own results record. No medal results for Team South Africa appear in that account.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Team South Africa showcases skills on global stage in Shanghai