Blade on TUT Giyani Campus delay
A five-month delay allegedly caused by the Limpopo Department of Education is the reason why the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) did not open its new Giyani Campus doors in time.
Last Monday Giyani was brought to a standstill after protesters embarked on a campaign to shut down the town to show their frustration after the Department of Higher Education and Innovation failed to keep to a promise two years ago that a TUT campus in Giyani would be operational in February 2024.
In September 2022, Minister Blade Nzimande and the vice chancellor of TUT, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, visited the former Giyani College of Education to discuss plans to start a campus on the premises. During the visit, they stated that the campus would be operating by February 2024. This week Nzimande said that false information on the new campus has been spread.
Also read: TUT to open new Giyani Campus in February 2024
“In the interest of transparency and out of concern for the future of the young people of Giyani and surrounding areas, I wish to provide the necessary clarification,” Nzimande stated. Nzimande said in May 2023, the department commenced a feasibility study, but it then experienced a delay of more than five months from the side of the Limpopo Department of Education. “However, we have been working with the Limpopo MEC for Education, Lerule Ramakhanya, to address these problems and obstacles.
An agreement on the way forward was reached in October 2023. “Notwithstanding this delay, in September 2023, the department allocated R31.9 million to TUT for the university to carry out refurbishments and deferred maintenance on existing facilities upon the completion of the feasibility study. “TUT commenced with the refurbishment and deferred maintenance in February this year, which will enable the first intake of students during the 2025 academic year,” he added.
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He said that subject to the current budget allocations, more funding will be allocated from 2024/25 onwards and over an anticipated 6-year period. “The funding to be allocated during 2024/25 will enable TUT to start with the planning of the major projects during the 2024 calendar year.” He said a departmental team has been engaging the community and stakeholders in Giyani,regularly. The Herald reached out to the Limpopo Department of Education for comment. Spokesperson Mike Moringa said he will comment when he has more information. The Herald will publish it when it is received.
