Clear answers about SMEP.

SMEP stands for Sinawe Mntase Education Pathways Programme. It is a two-stage programme implemented by Sinawe Application Centre NPC.

Stage 1 is Awareness in January 2027 for Grade 9–12 learners. Stage 2 is Practical Support in June 2027 for Grade 12 and matriculated learners. Continued support will be available for learners who need it.

The January 2027 Awareness school visits are for Grade 9–12 learners. SMEP will visit five schools individually to build awareness of education and career pathways.

Grade 12 and matriculated learners will be supported with creating email accounts, submitting university and TVET applications, and identifying funding opportunities they could apply for.

Grade 9 learners are included in the January Awareness stage, with a focus on subject choices and career awareness.

Grade 10 learners are included in the January Awareness stage, with a focus on career exploration and higher-education awareness.

Grade 11 learners are included in the January Awareness stage, with a focus on academic preparation and future planning.

Grade 12 learners can take part in Awareness in January and Practical Support in June. Practical Support is also for matriculated learners. It includes email setup, university and TVET applications, and identifying funding opportunities learners could apply for.

SMEP can help learners with practical application steps, but each university or TVET college makes its own admission decisions. Check requirements and deadlines with the institution.

Ntabezulu SSS and Shukuma SSS have been identified so far. More schools will be confirmed in due course.

The planned dates are 13, 18, 22, 25 and 29 January 2027. The school for each date will be confirmed in due course.

No. All dates are subject to change. Contact Sinawe for the latest information.

The Winter School Outreach is planned for 26–27 June 2027 at Ntabezulu SSS, the hosting school. Learners will gather before their Winter School period. The dates are subject to change.

Use the enquiry form on the Contact page to prepare a WhatsApp message for you to review and send, or contact Sinawe by email or Facebook. A message does not confirm an appointment; the programme team will discuss next steps with you.

Use the school participation form on the Partners page. It prepares an email draft to smeppartners@gmail.com for you to review and send. This is not a partnership agreement, and visit assignments will be confirmed in due course.

No. Submitting the Partners page school participation form is an enquiry only, not a partnership agreement and not confirmation of a visit. School and date assignments will be confirmed later, and dates may change.

For financial support, contact Ms Sibi at +27 72 986 8811 by phone or WhatsApp. For non-financial support, team members, university/TVET students and graduates can use the volunteer interest form on the Support Us page; it prepares an email to smepprogram@gmail.com for review and sending.

SMEP is supported by Nelson Mandela University and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator-NMU.

Visit the Support Us page to read about possible volunteer responsibilities and submit an interest form. The form prepares an email draft to smepprogram@gmail.com for you to review and send. It is an expression of interest only; it does not guarantee a placement or constitute employment.