In 2025, 49 local artisans graduated from Umfolozi TVET College, marking a significant milestone as Mondi Zimele, a Mondi initiative dedicated to supporting small businesses and fostering socio-economic development, reaches the halfway point towards its goal of training 100 young people in high-demand trades.
Over eighty per cent of graduates have already secured apprenticeships or industry roles, with all participants being local residents, ensuring direct benefit to the community. Training is fully sponsored and includes personal protective equipment, CV development, and interview coaching, equipping each student with the skills and confidence needed for long-term employability and success.
Meeting industry needs
Trades such as fitting, welding, electrical work and boiler making remain in high demand across Richards Bay and the surrounding areas. Yet contractors often struggle to source skilled local labour, affecting productivity and extending critical maintenance shutdowns.
“Mill shuts are high-intensity maintenance windows with enormous demand for skilled artisans,” says Gibson Nxasana, Operations Director, Richards Bay mill. “These graduates step into that environment with the competence and readiness industry needs.” By developing local Mhlathuze talent, the programme reduces recruitment costs and timelines for contractors while ensuring that meaningful employment opportunities stay within the community.
Celebrating excellence
The graduation ceremony recognised outstanding achievement, with top students receiving awards for their dedication and performance. Among them are Erick Mvelase, Top Welder, who has already secured a job offer at Steinmuller; Smanga Myeni, Top Fitter, awarded an advanced toolkit; Xolisani Simelane, Top Electrical Student, recognised for technical excellence; and Bekezela Gumede, Top Female Student, celebrated for breaking barriers in male-dominated trades.
“By providing me with invaluable skills, the programme not only enhanced my confidence but unlocked exciting new opportunities,” says Erick Mvelase.
A pathway to industry
Mondi Zimele’s approach goes beyond training. Graduates are supported into employment through a network of industry partners. Recent placements include apprenticeships at Toyota Durban, Rio Tinto Richards Bay, and roles with Lovemore Construction, Elinem Construction, and Steinmuller Engineering.
“Our goal is to make graduates employable across industry, not just within Mondi,” says Nelly Ndlovu, CEO of Mondi Zimele. “The success stories at Toyota and Richards Bay Minerals show the real impact of this programme.”
Building a skilled future for Richards Bay
With 51 more students currently enrolled, the final intake in 2026 will complete the 100-student target. The ambition is to position Richards Bay as a centre of artisan excellence, creating a sustainable pool of skilled talent for local industry. “By mid-2026, all 100 students will have graduated, creating a skilled artisan pool that contractors and industries can rely on,” says John Lloyd, Business Development Manager, Mondi Zimele.
From the classrooms of Umfolozi College to the factory floors of leading employers, Mondi Zimele is helping young people unlock their potential and build their future in Richards Bay.
About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by producing products that are sustainable by design. We employ 24,000 people in more than 30 countries and operate an integrated business with expertise spanning the entire value chain, enabling us to offer our customers a broad range of innovative solutions for consumer and industrial end-use applications. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.
In 2024, Mondi had revenues of €7.4 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.0 billion. Mondi is listed on the London Stock Exchange in the ESCC category (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent. It also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).
Mondigroup.com