Gauteng MEC Matome Chiloane launches Thuto Lore Engineering School of Specialisation in Sharpeville
Gauteng is a leader in SA, pioneering unique Schools of Specialisation model, fundamentally redefining public education to play a transformative role in bridging the country’s skills gaps
Sharpeville joined the Fourth Industrial Revolution on Friday when Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, launched the Thuto Lore Engineering School of Specialisation (SoS) in Emfuleni.
The school’s focus will be on manufacturing, renewable energy, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Originally a public ordinary school, Thuto Lore has undergone a dynamic transformation to champion technical, skills-based education, formally offering subjects like welding, fitting and machinery, alongside a Vocational Orientation Curriculum (VOC).
As South Africa prepares to celebrate Human Rights Day on 21 March 2026, the significance of Sharpeville to the nation is not lost on citizens.
On 21 March 1960, South African police opened fire on a peaceful crowd protesting apartheid pass laws outside the Sharpeville police station. The demonstration was organised by the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), which encouraged Black South Africans to leave their pass books at home and present themselves for arrest in defiance of the pass laws. Police opened fire without warning, shooting into the crowd of thousands, leaving 69 people dead and more than 180 injured.
Today, Sharpeville is not forgotten more than three decades after democracy - and 66 years after that dark day.
The launch marks the opening of the 37th School of Specialisation in Gauteng, a bold initiative to address critical skills shortages by aligning education with the province’s economic growth priorities.
Sharpeville’s Thuto Lore Engineering SoS strategically serves the Southern Economic Corridor. By aligning education with these distinct economic zones, the province ensures that schooling becomes a direct catalyst for inclusive growth, industrial renewal, and long-term prosperity, the department said in a statement.
Reflecting this transformed identity, the school has adopted a new emblem. The crest features a mortarboard symbolising academic achievement, an anvil representing the school’s strong emphasis on manufacturing and engineering, and a cross underscoring its commitment to holistic development.
During the launch, Chiloane and guests were treated to extraordinary technical demonstrations where learners bridged theory with practice. Showcasing their mastery of 4IR and renewable energy, learners proudly unveiled a fully electric solar-powered car.
Demonstrating profound social impact and engineering ingenuity, they also presented a smart walking stick and smart glasses designed for visually impaired individuals; both devices use advanced sensors to detect obstructions and emit warning sounds to ensure safe navigation. Additionally, learners presented a Solar Powered Wind Turbine, advanced Robotics, and a custom Mini Braai demonstrating VOC skills.
These remarkable inventions perfectly encapsulate the calibre of education the Gauteng Department of Education is actively bringing to township schools. By decentralising access to cutting-edge technology and advanced curriculums, Gauteng is ensuring that township learners are no longer left behind.
Instead, they are being equipped with the practical resources and knowledge to become the pioneers, inventors, and solution-driven engineers of tomorrow.
A guided walkabout allowed attendees to explore the school’s modernised technical workshops, including fitting and machining, welding, automotive, and power systems.
Learners also proudly exhibited a constructed Wendy House and an entrepreneurship stall, demonstrating how technical expertise opens pathways to future employment and business ownership.
Thuto Lore boasts a proud record of academic excellence, achieving a 98.2% Matric NSC pass rate in 2024 and sustaining a 92.4% pass rate in 2025. Furthermore, learners consistently dominate technical competitions.
In 2025, Alice Monyamane came first in a provincial Welding contest, while Mpho Mphuthi was first in Electrical Technology at the National Skills Competition.
Gauteng remains a leader in South Africa pioneering this unique Schools of Specialisation model, fundamentally redefining public education to play a transformative role in bridging the country’s skills gaps and driving innovation.
By immersing exceptional learners in high-demand disciplines like Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, and 4IR, Thuto Lore Engineering SoS ensures that the youth of Sharpeville are equipped to become the industry problem-solvers and economic leaders of tomorrow. Yet this monumental task of connecting classroom theory to real-world industrial application is a deeply collaborative effort.
This transformation underscores the Gauteng Department of Education’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, skills-based education. The school works in partnership with corporate and community partners, including Deltarette, Eskom, Air Products, Afrimat, Dr Malan High School, and Seriti Mines, affirming the crucial role of partnerships between government and industry in shaping the future of Gauteng’s youth.
The 1960 legacy will not be forgotten but the school looks set to inspire learners from Sharpeville to contribute to the skills revolution - and building a better South Africa.
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