DUT Leads Smart Robotics Lab Launch with Support from Base Five

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) today announces the launch of Africa’s most advanced Smart Robotics Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility developed in strategic partnership with Base Five Media, the Moses Kotane Research Institute (MKRI), and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA).

This pioneering initiative establishes South Africa as the continental hub for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills development.

A Strategic Leap Toward 4IR Skills Development

The Smart Robotics Lab marks a major milestone in regional efforts to build a locally skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing and automation. It launches at a critical time, as South African industries face a well-documented shortage of technical skills in the 4IR domain, particularly in engineering and automation sectors. Read more here

Official Launch: A Youth Month Milestone

The official launch ceremony took place on June 24 at DUT’s Ritson Campus. Hosting the event during Youth Month highlights the lab’s transformative potential to empower young South Africans for leadership in the digital economy.

Students will gain hands on experience using equipment identical to that found in leading global manufacturing facilities, ensuring their skills match international standards and workplace demands.

Leadership Vision: Training Job Creators

Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and principal of DUT, emphasised the lab’s broader mission:

“This Smart Robotics Lab represents more than an educational investment – it’s a declaration that South Africa will lead Africa’s industrial renaissance. Our students will graduate not just as job seekers, but as job creators who will establish the next generation of manufacturing enterprises across the continent.”

Built on Collaboration: Academia, Industry, and Research United

The Lab’s design and development reflect deep collaboration between DUT’s engineering faculty, Base Five Media, and merSETA. Every element of the facility aligns with real world industry needs and emerging global trends.

Early Industry Buy-In Boosts Job Prospects

Different major Industries have equally responded with enthusiasm. Twelve major manufacturers including those in automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy have already committed to recruitment partnerships with DUT. These partnerships are expected to lead to strong employment pathways and competitive salaries for graduates.

Closing the Skills Gap Across Africa

Dr. Nomsa Dlamini, merSETA’s Chief Operations Officer, stressed the strategic importance of the lab:

“The demand for these skills far exceeds current supply. This facility will produce exactly the talent our economies need to compete globally.”

The lab will offer training in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing. These programs are designed to serve both students and working professionals, providing them with in-demand technical skills and practical experience in a cutting-edge environment.

Broader Impact: A National Development Model

Base Five’s Managing Directors, Tlangelani Manzini and Daisy Mulenga, emphasised the broader developmental role of the project:

“By combining DUT’s educational excellence with private sector innovation and government support, we’re creating a model that other African nations will replicate. The ripple effects will extend far beyond individual careers to transform entire industrial sectors.”

Future-Proofing Education Through Research and Innovation

The Moses Kotane Research Institute (MKRI) ensures the lab remains future-focused. Its research projects in artificial intelligence, materials science, and automation will allow students to learn techniques that are still emerging globally positioning them to lead future innovations.