Eskom Foundation and VUT Partner to Support Over 1,000 STEM Students
The Eskom Development Foundation (ESDEF) ended Women’s Month with a meaningful investment in young people’s futures, providing funding to support 1,040 students through Vaal University of Technology’s Girls in STEM and Winter School programmes.
The partnership launched with a two-day event at VUT’s main campus, starting with a handover ceremony on 27 August 2025. Held during Women’s Month, the event highlighted both organisations’ commitment to empowering young women and promoting gender equality in technical fields.
Acting ESDEF CEO, Mologadi Motshele, presented the donation, saying, “Working together with VUT shows what we can achieve. We are investing in South Africa’s future by supporting young women and helping all students get a better education.”
VUT Vice Chancellor, Professor Khehla Ndlovu, signed the partnership agreement and emphasised its importance: “Eskom’s commitment to our STEM and Winter School programmes is a catalytic force for transformation. Together, we are building a diverse pipeline of talent for South Africa.”
Dr Pillay from Eskom’s Research, Testing and Development Department spoke about how new technologies are transforming the energy sector and creating exciting opportunities for young women in the electricity industry.
Two Programmes, One Mission
The funding supports two programmes:
Girls in STEM – A two-year programme helping young women enter technical careers through mentorship and resources.
Winter School – Launching in winter 2026, this programme will provide extra academic support for high school students during the winter holidays. It is open to both boys and girls.
Inspiring Young Women
On 28 August 2025, students from various schools gathered at VUT for a special seminar. They met with successful women in engineering, including Eskom leaders, Fulufhelo Makananise and Keneilwe Thejane.
Both women shared their personal journeys and career achievements, showing students what’s possible in STEM fields. The session allowed young women to connect directly with role models who have succeeded in technical careers.
This partnership goes beyond financial support; it is about developing the technical skills South Africa needs. The two-day event, from the formal ceremony to personal stories from industry leaders, showed ESDEF’s real commitment to transforming education.
With over 1,000 students now accessing better education and career opportunities in critical fields, this collaboration is helping build the workforce that will drive South Africa’s future innovation and growth.
