2027 Intake · Skills for the O.R. Tambo Region
Apply to King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College — practical training across rural Eastern Cape.
KSD College serves the O.R. Tambo District and surrounding rural areas of the Eastern Cape through seven campuses, offering NCV and NATED (Report 191) programmes in critical and scarce skills. Here's what to prepare while you wait for the official 2027 dates.
About the college
Skills for the region with South Africa's highest youth unemployment
King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College was formed in 2002 through the merger of three former technical colleges — Mapuzi, Mthatha and Ngcobo. Named after the AbaThembu king, KSD is strategically positioned to serve the O.R. Tambo, Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities, reaching roughly 28% of the Eastern Cape's population in a region with one of the country's highest concentrations of unemployed young people.
As one of South Africa's 50 public TVET colleges, KSD focuses on priority, critical and scarce skills development through NCV and NATED (Report 191) programmes in business, engineering and utility studies. The college provides student residences at its Ntabozuko and Mthatha campuses.
Verify before you rely on this
As of this guide's most recent update, KSD College had not officially published its 2027 dates. Recent cycles have included a main intake plus a "second intake" later in the year — treat the dates below as a planning guide only, and confirm the current window directly with the college.
Plan ahead
Typical application pattern
KSD College's intake windows have varied across recent cycles — here's what's been reported, to help you plan around the eventual 2027 announcement.
Ongoing hardcopy applications
One source describes KSD as accepting hardcopy applications throughout the year, posted or delivered to the Mthatha Campus.
Primary annual window
Exact 2027 main-intake dates were not yet published as of this guide's last update — check ksd.edu.za directly.
Later window, some programmes
The equivalent second intake for 2026 ran 1–31 October 2025, though R191 Business Studies was specifically excluded that round.
Contact the college
Given the inconsistent public information, a phone call or visit to your nearest KSD campus is the most reliable way to get current 2027 dates.
Hardcopy or online
How to apply to KSD College
Unlike some TVET colleges, KSD accepts both traditional hardcopy applications and online applications — useful given how many students the college serves in rural areas.
Hardcopy route
- Download the correct application form — new student or part-time student — from the KSD website or a campus office.
- Complete it in full; you'll need a valid email address (free ones like Gmail work).
- Post or deliver it to: Mthatha Campus, R61 Queenstown Road, Cicira Village, Mthatha, 5099.
Online route
- Go to the official KSD website and locate the online application section.
- Register and complete your personal and academic details.
- Upload certified copies of your ID and academic results.
- Submit and follow up with your nearest campus to confirm receipt.
Understand the options
NCV or NATED?
NC(V) — National Certificate (Vocational)
Three-year vocational qualifications offering specialised training in business, utility and other studies — the main entry route for school leavers.
NATED Programmes
N-diploma theory-based programmes combined with practical training, standardised in cost alongside NC(V) courses at KSD.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Certified copies of your academic results
- A valid email address (create a free one if you don't have one)
- Completed application form — new student or part-time, as applicable
- Proof of residence, if requested by your chosen campus
Costs
Fees & funding
Where you could study
Fields of study at a glance
Field
Business Studies
NC(V) and NATED business-focused programmes preparing students for administrative and commercial roles across the region.
Field
Engineering Studies
Practical, trade-focused engineering programmes addressing critical and scarce skills in the O.R. Tambo region.
Field
Utility Studies
Service-oriented qualifications rounding out KSD's core programme offering.
Seven campuses, rural reach
Where KSD is based
Mthatha
Central administration; on-campus student residence available.
Libode
Serves the Libode area of O.R. Tambo District.
Mapuzi
One of the three founding campuses that formed KSD in 2002.
Mngazi
Rural campus serving the surrounding coastal area.
Ngcobo
A founding campus, serving the Ngcobo area.
Ntabozuko
Offers on-campus student residence alongside Mthatha.
Zimbane
Rounds out KSD's seven-campus footprint across the region.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do KSD 2027 applications open and close?
Official 2027 dates were not yet published as of this guide's most recent update. Recent cycles have included a main intake plus a later "second intake" — for example, a second intake for 2026 ran 1–31 October 2025. Some sources describe hardcopy applications as accepted year-round. Confirm the current window directly with KSD College.
Is there a registration fee?
Sources disagree — one cites R650, another states no registration fee applies to NC(V) and Report 191 (NATED) courses. Confirm the exact fee with the college before paying anything.
Can I apply by post?
Yes. KSD accepts hardcopy applications posted or delivered to the Mthatha Campus, as well as online applications through the official website — useful given the college's largely rural student base.
Where is KSD College located?
Across seven campuses in the O.R. Tambo District and surrounding rural Eastern Cape: Mthatha (central administration), Libode, Mapuzi, Mngazi, Ngcobo, Ntabozuko and Zimbane. It was formed in 2002 from the merger of the Mapuzi, Mthatha and Ngcobo technical colleges.
Skills for the region, starting with your application.
Get your documents certified now, so you're ready the moment KSD confirms its 2027 intake dates.
Visit the Official KSD Site →