South Africa
03 Feb 2011
The NICHE identification process in South Africa has resulted in the selection of strengthening the sectors Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET). Agriculture Education and Water Management have been selected as areas of development within HE/FET. On this page you can read more about the objectives and focus of NICHE in South Africa. You can also download an edited web version of the Programme Outline.
Selected sector(s) and focal areas
The NICHE programme in South Africa will be implemented in the education and training sector. Within this sector, NICHE will focus on two domains:
- Strengthening Higher Education (HE)
- Strengthening Further Education and Training (FET)
- Thematic programmes in the fields of Sustainable Agriculture
- Thematic programmes in the fields of Sustainable Water Management
The identification process
NICHE was launched in South Africa in February 2009 with a seminar called “NPT Review and NICHE Preview” aimed exclusively at South African stakeholders. The aim of the seminar was to look back at the accomplishments and challenges of the NPT programme and to look at the establishment of the NICHE programme in South Africa. This is according to the demand-driven approach as pursued under the NICHE programme.
HE and FET
The NICHE identification took place before the 2009 national elections. After the elections, the former Department of Education (DoE) was split up into two new departments: the Department of Basic Education (DoBE) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET). The new 2010-2015 Strategic Plan of DoHET was published at the end of 2009. The 2008-2012 Strategic Plan of DoE, on which the Programme Outline is based, covers the entire education sector, but each sub-sector has its own strategic objectives. In the HE sector NICHE will focus on strengthening the overall quality of education. In the FET sector the focus will be on skills development, considered crucial to reduce the gap between required and available skills.
Sustainable Agriculture
In the context of the Dutch general policy note “Agriculture and Economic Development and Food Security” (not specifically for South Africa) five tracks were identified (see Programme Outline). The NICHE programme in the agriculture education field should be in line with this policy document. Research in agriculture will be less pronounced within NICHE because of:
- the well developed agro research system (Agricultural Research Council) in South Africa, and
- the intended strengthening and the international research through the CGIAR (International research institutes) which will happen outside South Africa.
South Africa is, therefore, not inclined to invest in the development of similar institutes. One exception is the research capacity for combating animal diseases, in which South Africa is leading in Africa.
Sustainable Water Management
Climate change, pressure on natural resources and scarcity of energy are forcing South Africa to structurally address issues such as proper water resource management. The EKN intends to offer Dutch expertise and knowledge to support sustainable water use. The EKN will look for innovative ways to support local enterprises and other entities that invest in the development of (management) technologies for sustainable water use, especially at the municipal level.
Water resource management is high on the government's agenda. The situation is challenging: surface water is highly polluted throughout the country and there is a dire need for water efficiency to cope with countrywide water shortages.
Among other things, the country's hampering supply systems need environmentally efficient use of irrigation water for water treatment (quality) and conservation (quantity), skill development and institutional strengthening etcetera. Specific focus and support will be aimed at the improvement of service delivery by municipalities.
More information
Download the web version of the Programme Outline for South Africa (78 kB)
