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About Us

The Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL) at the University of the Witwatersrand is a leading research centre dedicated to understanding the relationships between education, skills, work, and economic development. Through rigorous, interdisciplinary research, REAL generates evidence that informs policy, strengthens education and skills systems, and contributes to more equitable and sustainable futures.

Our work examines how people learn, develop expertise, and transition into meaningful work, while exploring the social, economic, and environmental forces shaping labour markets in South Africa, across the African continent, and beyond. By working closely with governments, industry, international organisations, and academic partners, REAL connects research with practice to address complex challenges in skills development, employment, industrial transformation, and the Just Energy Transition.

As a hub for research, postgraduate education, and policy engagement, REAL brings together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to advance knowledge that supports inclusive growth, decent work, and social justice.

Our Story

The Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL) was founded through the vision and leadership of Professor Peliwe Lolwana, a pioneering educationist dedicated to expanding learning and work opportunities for all South Africans. Recognising the need for thoughtful, engaged research to inform education and labour policy, Professor Lolwana transformed the former Education Policy Unit (EPU) at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University into a dynamic new research centre in 2012.

Her belief that education and work are inseparable pillars of social justice continues to guide REAL’s mission. What began as a small initiative driven by her persistence and imagination has grown into a vibrant research and postgraduate hub, connecting scholars, policymakers, and practitioners across Africa.

Today, REAL stands as a living tribute to Professor Lolwana’s legacy: an inclusive space where ideas become solutions, research informs change, and education empowers lives.

Partners and Collaborations

Collaboration is at the heart of the Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL). Our work thrives through strong partnerships with national, regional, and international organisations that share our vision for inclusive education, skills development, and equitable work futures. REAL’s research is deeply integrated with the priorities of South Africa’s transformation agenda and the broader SADC region, linking academic inquiry to practical solutions.

We work closely with partners such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and numerous Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to inform national policy and strengthen skills ecosystems. Internationally, REAL collaborates with institutions like the International Labour Organization (ILO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the SADC Education Office, contributing to continental strategies for skills formation and just transitions.

Within Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University, REAL maintains active partnerships with the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Mining Institute, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Consortium for Research on Employment and Work (JT CREW) and regional research hubs supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), REAL continues to build knowledge networks that connect researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders—turning collaborative insights into transformative action.

 

 

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