Mpumalanga's first university open

Since the institution was established at the end of last year, the opening event afforded the province's first university the opportunity to welcome its first intake of students. 

 

 

However, notable it their absence were education MEC Ms Reginah Mhaule who was due to speak on behalf of premier, Mr David Mabuza, and Cllr Cathy Dlamini, executive mayor of Mbombela Municipality, the hosting city for the university's main seat, which is located at the Lowveld Agricultural College. 

 

 

Mr Zibonele Mncwango, spokesman for the premier, explained that both he and Mhaule had to attend an extended executive council lekgotla. By way of this spokesman, Mabuza called the welcoming of the first intake a fulfilling moment for the people of this province.

 

 

This despite the huge fanfare made of the university's launch in October.

 

 

Dlamini told Lowvelder that Mbombela had not been invited to attend the event.

 

 

Present on Wednesday was Mr Mduduzi Manana, deputy minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) who hails from Ermelo.

 

 

He said he hoped the youth would use education as a means of fighting poverty. 

 

 

The interim head of the university, Prof Ramaranka Mogotlane, similarly urged the students to fight what he called the "unholy trinity of ignorance, unemployment and poverty at work in the country".

 

 

He explained that it would be blasé and prehistoric for the university to aim to become the best in the country. 

 

 

"Instead, it should be the best for the country. The implication is for local relevance in the Mpumalanga area or in the context of the Republic of South Africa." 

 

 

Hence, the university's choice in offering qualifications in hospitality, education and a degree in agriculture this year, industries key to the local economy, with more to be added as the institution develops to full capacity. 

 

 

Manana told the press after the ceremony that they expected to see the effects of the university in the marketplace within the next 10 years.

 

 

"We have to do this very gradually. We do not want it to go wrong," he said. 

 

 

The deputy minister added that few institutions offered students the scope in agriculture studies which the University of Mpumalanga would, especially by the time it achieved full-scale operations in 2024 with 18 000 students at an estimated cost of R10 billion.

 

 

Mogotlane, who also heads the interim management team, said they were not worried about a lack of interest.

 

 

"We are afraid that once we reach 18 000 we will still be pressured to admit more students." 

 

 

Manana said his department's greatest worry had been to recruit academics.

 

 

"My fear was where we were going to get academics. Some had said they wanted to be a part of this historic moment. Our fears have been laid to rest for now."

 

 

See more photographs and video footage from the event online.

 

 

- Lowvelder