Premier Phophi Ramathuba says plans are at an advanced stage to establish Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus in Giyani.

Premier Phophi Ramathuba recently announced that plans are at an advanced stage to establish Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus in Giyani.

Ramathuba said the move is long overdue and the opening of the TUT campus is in the offing.   

She said “We cannot allow a situation where a child from Ka-Munghonghoma, after passing Grade 12, cannot further her higher education in a more advanced university of technology right there in her backyard. What is of concern, however, is the people who have started to illegally occupy and vandalise the identified erstwhile Giyani College of Education before refurbishment could even commence.”

Ramathuba went on to say “We call upon all those have hijacked and illegally occupy any government property to desist and vacate with immediate effect. #operation vhuyisa thundu ya muvhuso is about to be launched…. Watch this space!
Those who think it is far-fetched, must think again… let me remind you. When we pronounced that Limpopo will be the first university to establish a medical school post-1994, we were accused of hallucinating. Today a child from Ha- Tshikundamela when she wants to study medicine, she doesn’t have to take a bus to Cape Town or Durban or Johannesburg or Pretoria. She simply takes a shot left to Mankweng, to the medical school proudly brought to you by the ANC-led government.

Currently the very same ANC led government has already started with the construction of the first ever Limpopo Central and Academic Hospital. In a similar vein, initiatives towards the opening of a specialised skills branch at the Sekhukhune TVET College, which will further contribute towards addressing skills gap and unemployment challenges in our province are underway.

Ramathuba said he provincial administration is in collaboration with various Sector Education and Training Authority (SETAs), embarking on skills development through apprenticeships and learnership programmes.

“To date, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Sector Education Training Authority (merSETA) has committed R130 million targeting 500 candidates in the third quarter and 460 in the fourth quarter to commence in an apprenticeship programme in various critical sectors, including in motor mechanics, diesel mechanics, mechanical fitting, welding, and electrical trades.

“We remain unflinching in our resolve to continue exploring partnerships with SETAs in other areas that may provide support” Ramathuba concluded.