University initiative calls for support
This vision of a university in Brakpan is being pushed alongside the power of sports and the establishment of a multi-sport academy.
Founded in 2010 by brothers Ernest and Jeff Waner, the Brakpan University Initiative is still advocating the establishment of a university in Brakpan.
The initiative has envisioned a simple, cost and time effective solution to the problem of higher education in Ekurhuleni; a transition of the Brakpan Customer Care Centre (civic centre) into a university, which would accommodate tens of thousands of young people wanting to improve their future through education.
READ: Waner outlines plans for local university
The non-political group is of the opinion that a university based in Ekurhuleni will make education more affordable because students will be able to attend a place of higher education closer to where they reside.
They believe a university in the town will have the following benefits:
Educational and institutional
• A university being located at the prospective location will open up incredible opportunities for other potential universities to form other satellites.
• It will provide limitless space, access and the tools needed for contemporary universities to expand their syllabus and knowledge concerning environmental sustainability.
• Surrounding this location is services that will support further studies of water, recycling, sanitation, horticulture, agriculture and hydro electricity.
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Socio-economic
• A university would boost the economy of Brakpan, turning it into a university city, similar to Grahamstown and Potchefstroom.
• Students can study close to home and won’t be encouraged to take their learned skills with them to another area after completing their studies.
• The university will be in an area central to Ekurhuleni, making it cater to the entire metropolitan area’s needs.
• Ekurhuleni is an industrial hub and the only large metro in South Africa not to have its own university.
Government and community
• Education will be provided to a population in need.
• Students can live at home, being able to go to university in the day and travel home at night.
• The university would contribute to the CBD regeneration policy of the municipality for the town, as Brakpan will grow exponentially.
• The community can reinvest their pride into their cultural heritage sites such as old buildings, halls and town monuments that could be transformed into museums and art galleries, which will be used by the university.
This vision of a university in Brakpan is being pushed alongside the power of sports and the establishment of a multi-sport academy.
The grounds surrounding the Brakpan Customer Care Centre are catered for such a dream (Brakpan Indoor Sports Centre, Brakpan Swimming Pool, Hosking Park, Charl Baard Stadium and the Brakpan Rugby Club).
The initiative is calling on residents for support and to join the movement.
READ: University will boost local economy
They will be holding public meetings from 2pm to 3pm at the Brakpan Rugby Club every Friday for enquiries and petition signings.
For more information, contact Ernest Waner on 078 386 2183, Johannes Sathekge on 066 573 3641 or Themba Nyemba on 071 403 3398.
You can also send an email to buniversityinitiative@gmail.com or find them on Facebook (Uni4Brakpan) and Twitter (@Uni4Brakpan).
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