A high-level government delegation visited two proposed sites for the long-awaited Ekurhuleni University of Applied Science and Innovation on July 22 as part of ongoing assessments into the feasibility of establishing the institution.

Although media were invited to cover the visits, journalists were asked to leave shortly after proceedings began, with a government communications official saying the media were not actually meant to attend the briefing and that an official statement would be issued later.

The delegation, led by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Ekurhuleni Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, began its work at the Boksburg Civic Centre before proceeding to the proposed sites in Boksburg and Kempton Park.

The Boksburg site is an open tract of land bordered by Trichardts Road, Railway Street and Champion Road, on the site of the former Cinderella Prison near Blue Sky informal settlement.

The delegation conducted a drive-by inspection of this proposed site before visiting the Denel Academy in Kempton Park, which is being flagged as a possible interim teaching and learning facility.

According to the City of Ekurhuleni, the proposed university could expand access to higher education, support skills development and boost the city’s long-term economic growth.

President Cyril Ramaphosa first announced plans for a University of Ekurhuleni during his 2020 State of the Nation Address.

In replies to questions in the National Assembly this year, Manamela said construction is expected to begin in 2029. He added that the immediate priority is registering the institution’s first students, potentially before a permanent campus is built.