This Women’s Day, we celebrate two inspiring young Peer Educators from West Coast TVET College, Perfect Nowa Phiri and Perment Ubisi, who have graduated from the Higher Health Civic & Soft Skills Programme during a hybrid learning camp at their campus.

Accredited at NQF Level 5 by QCTO and developed in partnership with UNESCO, this groundbreaking programme strengthens graduate competencies, enhances employability, and prepares young people for the job market.

Perfect shares that the programme taught her to be an active citizen, speak up for change, and realise that even small actions can make a difference. Perment highlights the value of volunteering and youth participation in shaping a better South Africa.

Both graduates emphasise how the programme empowered them to stand up against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), equipping them with practical strategies to challenge and prevent it in their communities.

August is Women’s Month in South Africa is a time to celebrate the resilience, strength, and leadership of women across all walks of life.

In this feature, Nsovo Masingi, a graduate of the Civic & Soft Skills Programme at the University of Pretoria, shares the powerful lessons she learned from the Gender Studies module:

“As a woman or young lady, it is up to you to break the silence and speak up. If you feel like you are in that situation, break the silence and fight for your rights.”

Higher Health is addressing gender as a critical skills gap in South Africa. Through our Civic & Soft Skills Programme (NQF Level 5, QCTO-accredited, developed with UNESCO), we empower young people with essential life skills, workplace readiness, civic values, and gender consciousness.

"Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is the enemy of the state and of higher education and training."

Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), calls on all South Africans especially young people in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector to take a stand and unite against GBVF.

Need support? You are not alone. Call the Higher Health 24/7 toll-free helpline: 0800 36 36 36

On Women’s Day, Prof. Ramneek Ahluwalia, CEO of Higher Health South Africa, featured on eNCA News (DSTV Channel 403) at 18:15 in a powerful discussion on the urgent challenges surrounding gender concerns in South Africa.

Prof. Ahluwalia highlighted that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not only a societal epidemic but also a critical skills deficit in the country. He emphasised the importance of targeted skills development as a key strategy to address GBV and build safer, more equitable communities.

To address this, Higher Health is committed to tackling gender-related challenges that this country grapples with by building essential skills on gender for every student in South Africa both in the PSET sector and out of school youth. Higher Health has developed an Accredited Civic and Soft Skills qualification with a groundbreaking module on Gender at NQF Level 5, accredited by Qualifications Certificate Trades Occupation (QCTO).

The discussion came at a crucial time as South Africa continues to confront high levels of GBV, reinforcing Higher Health’s commitment to advancing solutions through education, advocacy, and skills development.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia, CEO of Higher Health, joined eNCA News (DSTV Channel 403) for a powerful Youth Month discussion recently alongside two of our inspiring Civic and Soft Skills graduates – Nolwazi Ngubo from Wits University and Acacia Sinuku from Ekurhuleni East TVET College on the importance of investing in soft skills for South Africa’s youth.

“Soft skills are not optional - they are essential. For employment. For leadership. For life.” – Prof Ahluwalia

From workplace readiness to responsible citizenship, the interview unpacks how Higher Health’s Civic and Soft Skills NQF L5 programme accredited by QCTO and developed in partnership with UNESCO can transform lives, builds graduate competency and drives sustainable development among young people across the country.

Watch the full interview here and be part of the conversation!