Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Tshitereke Matibe with the newly graduated chefs and other officials.
The Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Tshitereke Matibe, on Wednesdasy declared that a new generation of culinary professionals is rising from Limpopo, as 30 chefs graduated through a groundbreaking programme that is transforming experience into nationally recognised qualifications.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Limpopo Chefs’ Academy in Mokopane, MEC Matibe described the moment as a long-overdue victory for the unsung heroes of South Africa’s kitchens — professionals who have spent years perfecting their craft without formal recognition.
“Today we are not just handing out certificates,” said MEC Matibe, “we are restoring dignity to years of hard work, skill and passion that have long gone unrecognised.”
The graduates completed the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme led by the South African Department of Tourism — a national intervention designed to unlock career mobility for experienced hospitality workers whose expertise was built in real kitchens rather than classrooms.
Through the programme, the chefs are awarded a Chef Qualification at NQF Level 5, the highest level within the occupational qualification. The programme was born from a national tourism sector skills audit that uncovered a stark reality: thousands of talented workers were trapped in professional limbo simply because their years of expertise had never been formally accredited.
Over the past five years, the Department of Tourism has invested more than R6 million in the programme, supporting over 210 learners across South Africa and expanding the initiative across multiple provinces.
MEC Matibe stressed that chefs occupy one of the most powerful positions in the tourism value chain, shaping how visitors experience the country.
“When visitors come to South Africa, they do not only come to see our wildlife or landscapes, they come to taste our story. Through food, we showcase our heritage, our creativity and our identity. Every plate that leaves a kitchen tells the story of who we are as a people,” said MEC Matibe.
LEDET has begun processes to open the intake for the 2026 academic year’s culinary skills training programme.
MEC Tshitereke Matibe congradulating one of the graduates.
LEDET MEC Tshitereke Matibe speaking during the graduation ceremony.