The Sasol Foundation, in partnership with Kagiso Trust, is hosting the TechSENet School Management Team (SMT) Seminar at Sasol’s global headquarters in Sandton from 18 to 19 June 2026, bringing together principals and school leadership teams from across South Africa’s Technical Schools of Excellence Network (TechSENet).
The seminar forms part of an ongoing effort to strengthen leadership and management capacity within technical schools, equipping School Management Teams with practical tools to enhance curriculum delivery, improve learner outcomes, and manage the unique demands of technical education.
Established in 2015 following a pilot at John Orr Technical High School, TechSENet has grown into a national programme spanning five provinces and 16 schools. The initiative focuses on improving the quality of teaching and learning in technical subjects, modernising infrastructure, and strengthening links between education and industry.
Over the past decade, the programme has delivered measurable impact, with many TechSENet schools achieving strong pass rates in Technical Mathematics and Technical Science, while also supporting over 800 educators and reaching thousands of learners annually.
Despite these gains, technical schools continue to operate in complex environments that require specialised leadership capabilities. The seminar addresses these challenges through focused sessions on leadership in technical contexts, balancing theory and practical learning, integration of educational technology, and the future of technical education in South Africa.
Speaking at the seminar, Gao Mothoagae, Vice President: CSI and Sasol Foundation, emphasised the critical role of school leadership in sustaining the programme’s impact:
“The success of TechSENet will not be determined by investment alone, but by the commitment, leadership and daily decisions of the School Management Teams. You are the custodians of this vision within your schools, shaping the culture and creating the conditions in which technical education can truly thrive.”
Mothoagae further highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable change, noting that collaboration between the private sector, civil society and education stakeholders remains central to strengthening South Africa’s technical skills pipeline.
The TechSENet SMT Seminar also serves as a platform for peer learning, knowledge sharing, and alignment on future priorities, marking both a reflection on more than a decade of progress and a renewed commitment to expanding access to high-quality, industry-relevant education.
Through initiatives such as TechSENet, the Sasol Foundation and its partners are contributing to the development of skilled, work-ready graduates who can support South Africa’s industrial growth and economic development.
