Special Focus: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges

NASHVEER NEMESAR

M AJUBATechnical andVocationalEducation andTraining (TVET)

College is over the moon with theopening of their brand-newcampus in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal. This campus will make itpossible for thousands morestudents to further their educationand improve their future prospects.

The latter half of 2015 broughtjoyous tidings for Majuba TVETCollege as it reached theconclusion of a process that hadbegun in 2012.

Through the interventions offormer MEC for Education, InaCronje, the new DundeeTechnology Centre Campus is nowfully operational.

Principal Sanele Mlotshwaprovided insight into thedevelopment. “Former MEC

Cronje wished for a campus toserve the town of Dundee andapproached the Majuba TVETCollege Council.”

In his words, the college waswilling to “take up the challenge”.

First operating from arenovated building once used bythe local commando, MajubaTVET College realised the needfor a new purpose-fit site and metwith Endumeni Municipality.

Mr Mlotshwa noted that themunicipality had agreed to sellland near the traffic department.

“It was a difficult site because ofthe many rocks that lay buried. Asa consequence, the land wasoffered to Majuba TVET Collegefree of charge,” he said.

Earmarking about R60-millionfor the project’s first phase, thecollege also approached MECCronje to secure matching fundingcommitment to the project.

Unfortunately, owing to shiftingcircumstances, the college had to

make alternative arrangements. “We had to initiate an

alternative plan in lieu of the fundsfrom the MEC’s sources.Ultimately, R120-million wasapproved for the new build fromthe college’s own coffers,” MrMlotshwa added.

Work on the Dundee Campusbegan in earnest in 2014.Frequent rains, theaforementioned rocks and amunicipal workers’ strike causednumerous delays.

Despite the setbacks “Wewanted to ensure that we couldoffer a complete campus toDundee and outlying students by2016,” said Mr Mlotshwa.

The new campus offersEngineering and Business studiesprogrammes in one location,utilising existing facilities in order toaccommodate additional students.Mr Mlotshwa noted the greatanticipation for the opening of thecampus: “The college is focusing on

all post-school students. People arereally excited about this new facility.”

He appealed to stakeholders tofully support the college andextended thanks to all contributorsfor their services.

“Local government andbusiness work together to makethis college a success,” he added.

A recent Open Day at the newDundee Technology CentreCampus was convened to provideinformation to parents andprospective students.

The Honourable Mayor ofEndumeni, Councillor ThulaniMahaye, addressed theapproximately 600 prospectivestudents.

He noted that the college hadpartnered with the EndumeniMunicipality in order to establishthe new campus in Dundee.

The smart-looking complex hastransformed the entrance of theidyllic town on Karel LandmanStreet. Mayor Mahaye further

added that “Dundee has beenidentified as a ‘high priority area’for higher education institutionsowing to high unemployment ratesin the area”.

“Previously, students fromDundee, Glencoe, Nquthu andsurrounding areas travelled toNewcastle to attend courses atMajuba TVET College,” MayorMahaye said.

He added that the municipalityhad temporarily allowed the formercommando building, adjacent tothe municipality, to be used by thecollege for education and training.

The college intends to continueusing the building for courses.

It is anticipated that around2 000 students will enrol at the newDundee Technology CentreCampus in the course of this year.

Nashveer Nemesar is aMarketing, Branding and

Communications Specialist forMajuba TVET College

It is anticipatedthat around2000 studentswill enrol atthe newDundeeTechnologyCentreCampus in thecourse of thisyear.

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COLLEGE OPENS new rural campus

JUNE 2016

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NEW OPPORTUNITIES: The Majuba TVET College’s brand-new campus in Dundee,

KwaZulu-Natal, offers Engineering and Business studiesprogrammes in one location.