In an era where Africa’s mineral wealth is increasingly viewed through the lens of sustainable development, academic institutions have a critical role to play: not only in cultivating talent but also in shaping the ecosystems that drive innovation, environmental stewardship and community upliftment.
One such institution stepping boldly into this arena is the University of Limpopo (UL), located in South Africa’s mineral-rich Limpopo Province. At the heart of UL’s proactive approach to sustainability and sector development is its Resource Mobilisation Office, a dynamic entity dedicated to securing the financial, technical and strategic partnerships necessary for long-term impact.
A new paradigm of university-industry collaboration
Established to help the university reduce its dependency on traditional funding streams such as government allocations and tuition fees, the Resource Mobilisation Office functions as a strategic hub that fosters meaningful engagement with the private sector, development agencies and government institutions.
Under the leadership of director Bonginkosi Dladlama, the office spearheads an ambitious agenda: diversifying funding, building institutional resilience and positioning UL as a key player in Africa’s educational and economic transformation.
“Our role is not just to chase grants,” explains Dladlama. “We build ecosystems of support that align with our strategic goals in education, research and community engagement. Whether it’s funding a new short course or securing a sponsorship for an international conference, our aim is to ensure every partnership contributes to sustainable development.”
Mining and energy: Building a skills pipeline
At the centre of UL’s impact strategy is a strong commitment to skills development in the mining and energy sectors – two of South Africa’s most vital industries. Through its School of Mining and Geology, the university offers a range of academic and vocational programmes designed to equip students and professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
Programmes span from undergraduate degrees in Mining Engineering and Geology to postgraduate research initiatives and technical short courses. Among these offerings, the Introduction to Mining short course stands out for its focus on providing unskilled workers with formal qualifications. “We saw a gap in the industry where many people working in mines had no formal training. That’s not just a skills issue – it’s a safety issue,” notes Dladlama. “So we developed a programme that bridges that gap while also elevating the professionalism of the sector.”
The university also tackles pressing challenges such as illegal sand mining, a growing threat to local environments and economies. In response, UL has scheduled a series of municipal workshops to educate stakeholders on sustainable mining practices, regulatory compliance and community accountability.
Mobilising resources for high-impact projects
While the Resource Mobilisation Office does not implement projects directly, it plays a crucial role in laying the financial and strategic groundwork necessary for success.
Among the high-priority initiatives currently under Dladlama’s stewardship are:
- A Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Short Course
- An International Telecommunication Conference
- A Domain Name Research Chair
- The Introduction to Mining Short Course
“Our approach is to align donor and stakeholder contributions with project needs,” explains Dladlama. “Whether that’s securing technical expertise, funding or in-kind support, we act as the connective tissue between opportunity and execution.”
By functioning as a clearinghouse for collaborative opportunities, the office ensures the university is not only a recipient of funding but also a co-creator in shaping impactful projects with local and global relevance.
Keeping pace with innovation
In a field as rapidly evolving as mining and energy, staying current with the latest technological advancements is non-negotiable. UL maintains this edge through industry partnerships with organisations such as the Council for Geoscience and the Minerals Council South Africa. These relationships help keep curricula aligned with real-world needs and emerging trends like automation, artificial intelligence and renewable energy integration.
The university’s investment in technology-enhanced learning – including virtual reality labs for mine safety training and data analytics platforms – offers students and professionals hands-on experience with the tools shaping the industry’s future.
Workshops, guest lectures and niche courses like the Introduction to Smart Mining Technologies ensure continuous professional development for those already in the field, thereby creating a feedback loop of innovation and relevance.
“By integrating these strategies, we ensure our graduates and research contribute to a modernised, sustainable and technologically advanced mining and energy sector,” says Dladlama.
A commitment to community upliftment
True to its mission, the University of Limpopo does not view education in isolation from community development. “We believe universities have a duty to actively uplift the communities they serve,” says Dladlama. This ethos is evident in the university’s outreach programmes, many of which are underpinned by resources mobilised through his office.
From educational outreach and environmental advocacy to capacity-building workshops for local government, UL’s community initiatives reflect a holistic approach to development. These efforts are not just about corporate social responsibility; they are strategic extensions of the university’s academic and research mandates.
By embedding community engagement into its institutional DNA, UL ensures its knowledge production also translates into real-world impact, particularly for underresourced populations.
Eyes on the future: A vision of innovation and entrepreneurship
Looking ahead, the Resource Mobilisation Office has its sights set on scaling UL’s influence even further. Plans include new international collaborations, enhanced research outputs and the evolution of UL into a fully entrepreneurial university.
“We’re entering a phase where practical application of research and innovation will drive both our relevance and our growth,” Dladlama notes. “As part of our future direction, we see ourselves as an entrepreneurial university, driven by innovation and a strong focus on practical, real-world application of knowledge.”
The university’s future initiatives will also respond directly to continental priorities such as skills alignment, economic growth and sustainable development. Through partnerships with like-minded institutions and stakeholders across Africa and beyond, UL aims to become a leading centre of excellence in both academic performance and societal impact.
A model for African institutions
In many ways, the University of Limpopo’s Resource Mobilisation Office is a model for how African academic institutions can reposition themselves as active drivers of development. Rather than passively waiting for government funding or donor largesse, UL is forging its own path: rooted in strategy, collaboration and a deep understanding of local and global needs.
“We are excited about our ongoing journey to improve and grow, with a deep commitment to being a catalyst for positive change. Through strategic collaborations, entrepreneurial initiatives and a focus on socio-economic relevance, we will continue to contribute meaningfully to the global and local aspirations of economic and social progress,” concludes Dladlama.
By bridging the gap between education, industry and community, the Resource Mobilisation Office exemplifies what is possible when universities embrace innovation – not just in their classrooms but in their governance and partnerships as well.
For the mining and energy sectors – and indeed, for African development as a whole – the implications are profound.
For further information, email bonginkosi.dladlama@ul.ac.za.