Key Takeaways: Vhembe Essentials
- Location: Limpopo (Vhembe District – Thohoyandou/Sibasa).
- Status: Registration OPEN for accepted students.
- Late Applications: Limited (Check specific campuses).
- Registration Deadline: 30 January 2026.
- Campuses: 7 Main Sites (Makwarela is the Head Office).
- Application Mode: Online (i-Enabler) but walk-in support is available at campuses due to connectivity issues.
In the far north of Limpopo, Vhembe TVET College is the primary skills provider for a massive rural community. From Musina on the Zimbabwean border to Tshisimani in the mountains, this college covers a geographical area of over 21,000 square kilometers.
Because of this vast distance, “going to the college” to check your status isn’t always easy. You need to know exactly which campus offers your course before you spend money on a taxi.
This guide clarifies the 2026 registration dates, the specific trades offered at each of the 7 campuses, and how to navigate the online system without getting stuck.
1. Registration Dates 2026
Semester 1 (Business Studies):
- Registration Opens: 06 January 2026.
- Classes Start: Mid-January 2026.
- Closing Date: 30 January 2026.
- Note: If you have been accepted, you must register (pay your admission fee or sign your NSFAS form) before the end of the month, or your spot will be given to a waiting list student.
Trimester 1 (Engineering Studies):
- Registration Opens: 06 January 2026.
- Classes Start: 20 January 2026.
- Closing Date: 24 January 2026 (Engineering usually closes earlier).
2. The 7 Campuses: Where Must You Go?
Vhembe is decentralized. Do not assume every campus offers every course.
1. Makwarela Campus (The Main Hub)
- Location: Sibasa (near Thohoyandou).
- Focus: Engineering (Civil, Electrical), Business, and Hospitality.
- Vibe: This is the busiest campus. It houses the administration and has the most student activity.
2. Tshisimani Campus
- Location: Tshakhuma.
- Focus: Business Studies and Engineering.
- Specialty: Known for its strong Finance and Public Management departments.
3. Mashamba Campus
- Location: Mashamba Village.
- Focus: Primary Agriculture and Business.
- Specialty: If you want to study Farming Management (NATED or NCV), this is the specialist campus with practical farming facilities.
4. Mavhoi Campus
- Location: Dzata (Nzhelele).
- Focus: Engineering and Business.
- Specialty: Offers Electrical Infrastructure Construction and IT.
5. Thengwe Campus
- Location: Mutale.
- Focus: Business Studies and Short Skills Programs.
- Vibe: A smaller, community-focused campus serving the Mutale area.
6. Shingwedzi Campus
- Location: Malamulele.
- Focus: Engineering and Business.
- Specialty: Chemical Engineering is sometimes offered here (check prospectus).
7. Musina Campus
- Location: Musina (Border town).
- Focus: Business and Engineering.
- Importance: Strategically located for students involved in cross-border trade and logistics.
3. Course List (NCV vs. NATED)
National Certificate Vocational (NCV) – Level 2-4:
- Primary Agriculture: (Mashamba Campus).
- Finance, Economics & Accounting.
- Office Administration.
- Civil Engineering & Building Construction.
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction.
- Hospitality.
NATED (Report 191) – N4-N6:
- Farming Management.
- Human Resource Management.
- Public Management.
- Management Assistant.
- Chemical Engineering.
- Civil / Electrical / Mechanical Engineering.
4. How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
Vhembe uses the ITS i-Enabler system.
Step 1: The Placement Screening (Compulsory)
- You cannot apply without this.
- Go to www.vhembecollege.edu.za.
- Click “Online Application”.
- Complete the “Pre-Entry Placement Test”.
- Tip: This test requires a stable connection. If you are in a deep rural area with Edge signal, try to go to an internet café or a spot with 4G/Wi-Fi, otherwise, it will time out.
Step 2: Create Account
- Select “New Applicant” (if applying for the first time).
- Create a 5-digit PIN.
Step 3: Submit Application
- Login with your Student Number (generated after Step 2).
- Click “Submit Application”.
- Choose your Year (2026) and Campus.
Step 4: Upload Documents
- ID Copy (Certified).
- Results (Certified).
- Proof of Residence.
5. Fees and NSFAS
Vhembe is a public college, so 90% of students are funded by NSFAS.
- Tuition: Ranging from R8,000 (Business) to R14,000 (Engineering) per year.
- NSFAS Status: Vhembe is known for having a very active Student Support office that assists with NSFAS applications. If your status is “Pending,” visit the Financial Aid Officer at your specific campus (e.g., at Makwarela Hall).
FAQ: Vhembe TVET College
Q: Can I apply for a residence (hostel)?
A: Yes. Makwarela and Tshisimani have hostels. Space is extremely limited. You must apply for residence during registration. It is first-come, first-served.
Q: I failed Matric. Can I study here?
A: Yes. Apply for the NCV Level 2 programme. It requires a Grade 9 pass. You will get a vocational qualification that is equivalent to Matric.
Q: Is there a satellite campus in Makhado?
A: Yes. The Makhado Satellite Campus focuses specifically on Hospitality. It operates differently from the main campuses, often running skills programs.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for SMS
Vhembe TVET College processes thousands of applications manually. If you haven’t received an SMS by 20 January, do not sit at home.
Take your documents, go to the campus you applied to, and enquire in person at the administration block. In rural campuses, face-to-face follow-up is often faster than digital tracking.
Disclaimer: Registration dates are subject to change by the college administration. Always check the official Vhembe TVET Facebook page for urgent updates.