King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) TVET College is a public technical and vocational college in the Eastern Cape, with its head office in Mthatha and campuses spread across the former Transkei. It offers National Certificate (Vocational) programmes at Levels 2 to 4, Report 191 (NATED) programmes from N4 to N6 and artisan-related training. Students apply through the college’s online application portal, and qualifying students can apply for NSFAS funding.
This guide explains the KSD campuses and contacts, the programmes offered at each campus, entry requirements, application dates and intakes for 2026/2027, NSFAS funding, the application steps and common mistakes. Where the college has not published a date or a figure, the guide says so and describes the usual TVET pattern, so applicants know what to confirm before they apply.
About King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College
KSD TVET College is one of the public colleges that fall under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It is named after King Sabata Dalindyebo of the Thembu people and serves learners in and around Mthatha, Libode, Mqanduli, Ngcobo and Elliotdale. Its qualifications are registered on the national qualifications framework, and its teaching combines classroom lessons with workshop practice.
The college suits learners who want a practical career route after Grade 9, Grade 10 or Grade 12, learners who do not hold a bachelor pass, and students who want to enter a trade or a business field sooner than a university degree allows.
KSD TVET College Campuses and Contacts
The central administration is located at the Mthatha campus, on the R61 Queenstown Road, Cicira Village, Mthatha, 5099. The main telephone number published for the college is 047 505 1000, and the college website is ksdcollege.edu.za. Published sources list the campuses below, although the number of campuses and some locations are described differently from source to source, so confirm a campus on the application portal before applying.
| Campus | Town or area |
|---|---|
| Mthatha | Mthatha (head office) |
| Zimbane | Mthatha |
| Libode | Libode |
| Mngazi | Libode / Mngazi area |
| Mapuzi | Mqanduli |
| Ngcobo | Ngcobo |
| Ntabozuko | Elliotdale |
Programmes can move between campuses from one intake to the next, so the campus allocation below is a guide, not a guarantee.
Courses and Programme Types
Students choose a programme according to their current grade level and the career they want. KSD lists programmes in two main groups.
NC(V) Programmes
The National Certificate (Vocational) is a three-year full-time qualification at Levels 2, 3 and 4, equal in level to Grades 10 to 12. Students combine vocational subjects with fundamental subjects such as English, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation. The fields listed for the college include:
| Campus | NC(V) fields listed |
|---|---|
| Mthatha | Civil Engineering and Building Construction; Electrical Infrastructure Construction; Finance, Economics and Accounting; Information Technology and Computer Science; Marketing |
| Libode | Engineering and Related Design; Safety in Society |
| Mapuzi | Hospitality; Tourism |
| Mngazi | Office Administration; Water and Wastewater Treatment |
| Ngcobo | Office Administration; Primary Agriculture |
| Ntabozuko | Education and Development; Financial Management; Transport and Logistics |
Public Relations Management is also listed at several campuses, including Mthatha, Mngazi, Ngcobo, Ntabozuko and Zimbane.
Report 191 (NATED) Programmes
Report 191 programmes run from N4 to N6 and are offered in engineering and business-related fields. After passing the N-level subjects, students complete the required work experience to earn the National N Diploma. The programmes listed are:
- Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering (Mthatha)
- Mechanical Engineering (Libode)
- Artisan Development, offered at N1 to N3 (Mthatha and Libode)
- Hospitality Management and Marketing Management (Mapuzi)
- Business Management (Mngazi and Zimbane)
- Human Resource Management (Ngcobo, Ntabozuko and Zimbane)
- Public Relations Management (Ntabozuko)
Tourism Management has also been listed without a confirmed campus, so ask the college where it runs in your intake year.
Occupational and Skills Programmes
Many TVET colleges also run occupational and short skills programmes aligned to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Check the portal or ask a campus which of these are open for 2027.
Entry Requirements
TVET colleges do not use a university-style APS score for most programmes. The table shows the usual pattern. The college sets the final requirement for each course.
| Programme | Usual minimum entry |
|---|---|
| NC(V) Level 2 | Grade 9 pass or equivalent; some fields prefer Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy |
| Report 191 N1–N3 (Artisan Development) | Grade 9 or 10, depending on the trade |
| Report 191 N4–N6 | Grade 12 (NSC), or N3 in a relevant stream |
| Engineering streams | Mathematics and Physical Science are commonly required or strongly preferred |
| Business streams | Grade 12 with English; Accounting helps for financial fields |
Applicants may also be asked to complete a career guidance or placement assessment on the portal. Such assessments are used to place students in a suitable programme and to identify support needs. They are not usually a pass or fail test.
Application Dates and Intakes for 2026/2027
At the time of writing, no verified opening and closing date for the 2027 intake is available from an official college notice. Several third-party websites report that 2027 applications opened on 1 September 2026, but the college itself has not been confirmed as the source, and the same websites disagree on other details. Treat these dates as unconfirmed and check ksdcollege.edu.za or call the college on 047 505 1000.
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The usual TVET pattern is as follows:
- The main intake for NC(V) and Report 191 programmes opens in the second half of the year, for study starting in January.
- Some business programmes have a mid-year intake for a second-semester start.
- Late applications can be considered if seats remain, but popular programmes fill early.
Applicants who miss the main window should contact a campus, because seats sometimes remain in certain programmes.
NSFAS Funding at KSD TVET College
KSD is a public TVET college, so qualifying students can apply for funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). NSFAS, not the college, sets the rules:
- The student must be a South African citizen.
- The combined household income must not exceed R350,000 a year.
- Students who receive a SASSA grant meet the income test automatically.
- The student must be admitted, or applying for admission, at a public TVET college in a funded programme.
Funding normally covers tuition and may include allowances for accommodation or transport, learning materials and living costs, depending on the rules for that funding year. The NSFAS application is separate from the college application. Students apply on the myNSFAS portal during the NSFAS window and upload ID copies for the student and the parents or guardians, along with proof of income. A funding approval does not replace a place at the college; the student needs both an admission offer and an approved NSFAS application.
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Students should not pay anyone to secure a place or a bursary. Official application and funding channels do not require this.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Go to ksdcollege.edu.za and open the online application link, which leads to the college’s application portal.
- Create an account as a new student using a valid email address and cellphone number.
- Complete the career guidance or assessment steps if the portal requires them.
- Open the application form, complete every section and select the programme and campus.
- Upload the required documents and submit the application.
- Keep the reference number and check your email and SMS for the outcome.
- Apply separately for NSFAS on the myNSFAS portal.
Some sources mention a printed application form for certain intakes. If you cannot apply online, visit the Mthatha campus or the nearest campus for assistance and ask which method is open for your programme.
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Documents Required
- Certified copy of the applicant’s ID, or birth certificate if no ID exists yet
- Certified copy of a parent’s or guardian’s ID
- Latest school results: Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12, or the matric certificate
- Proof of residence
- Proof of household income or a SASSA outcome letter, for NSFAS
Certified copies are normally accepted if they are not older than three months. Scan documents clearly and save them in PDF format.
After Applying: Registration and Status
After submission, the college reviews each application against the entry requirements and the seats available. Successful applicants receive an offer and registration instructions. Registration normally takes place in January and requires original documents, proof of NSFAS status or payment arrangements, and a visit to the chosen campus. Applicants who are not placed in their first choice can ask about other programmes with open seats.
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Because the campuses cover a wide rural area, students should plan travel and accommodation early. Many students rent rooms near the campus, and NSFAS-funded students may receive an allowance according to the rules of the funding year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for a programme without checking the subject requirements.
- Choosing a campus that does not offer the programme in the current year.
- Uploading blurred, incomplete or uncertified documents.
- Using an email address or phone number that is not active.
- Forgetting the separate NSFAS application.
- Waiting until the last days of the window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the KSD TVET College head office?
The central administration is at the Mthatha campus, R61 Queenstown Road, Cicira Village, Mthatha. The published telephone number is 047 505 1000.
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Can I apply with a Grade 9 certificate?
Yes, for NC(V) Level 2 and artisan-related programmes, subject to the requirements of the chosen field.
Which campus offers engineering?
Civil and Electrical Engineering are listed at Mthatha, and Mechanical Engineering at Libode. Confirm the current campus on the portal.
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Is NSFAS available for all programmes?
NSFAS funds qualifying students in approved public TVET programmes. Check with the college whether your chosen programme is funded.
Can I apply in person?
Online application is the main route, and campuses offer assistance for students who need help.
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