Letter to the Editor: Promises won’t build our university

Clr Marius de Vos writes:

The proposed University of Science and Innovation earmarked for Ekurhuleni is an exciting and potentially transformative project, particularly at a time when the city’s infrastructure is in urgent need of investment and renewal.

The land identified for the proposed university has stood vacant for decades and has become a hotspot for criminal activity.

As the ward councillor for the area, I have been at the forefront of efforts to combat the scourge of illegal toxic fires, which continue to affect the residents of Cason. Despite repeated appeals, little meaningful support has been forthcoming from the municipality to address this ongoing crisis.

If implemented, the university project has the potential to permanently eliminate many of the challenges associated with the Blue Sky informal settlement while unlocking the area’s full development potential.
However, it is impossible to ignore the political context surrounding this announcement.

The attendance of both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Higher Education at the recent site visit created high expectations. Yet, despite their presence, no funding commitments or implementation timelines were announced by the relevant government departments.

This inevitably raises questions about whether the announcement is backed by concrete plans or whether it is simply another election-season promise made just months before the local government elections.

The residents of Ekurhuleni deserve more than symbolic site visits and pre-election announcements. They deserve firm funding commitments, clear implementation timelines and a government that follows through on its promises.

Also Read: Best of Ekurhuleni Readers Choice Awards 2026