Thembisans want promised new university in their back yard

Even though it’s still to early to tell the exact location of the Ekurhuleni University of Science and Innovation, Thembisans are hoping it comes here.

Community members argued that Thembisa, being the largest township within the City of Ekurhuleni, be considered as the favourable spot for the university.

“Yes, the university is not just for the community of Thembisa, but for all South Africans. But since it is to reside within Ekurhuleni, I believe Thembisa has all the ingredients and capacity to house this university.

“If you look at all the other areas within Ekurhuleni, they are not compatible and don’t have the masses compared to Thembisa.

“It is high time government considered bringing such institutions closer to the people, and I believe Thembisa has more people than all the other townships within Ekurhuleni,” said Paul Mnisi, a community leader in Winnie Mandela.

During his State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the City of Ekurhuleni will have its own university of science and innovation.

Even though the ANC in Ekurhuleni couldn’t pick and choose their preferred location for the university, they have welcomed the announcement, saying it is a great achievement for the people of Ekurhuleni.

The party’s regional secretary, Thembinkosi Nciza, said the university, which will be named after struggle legend Oliver Reginald Tambo, must be designed to directly respond to the economic structure of the metro.

“The curriculum of the university will be intended to deepen research on a number of spheres in the science field, thus producing an output of academics who will accelerate and expand the already existing industrial economic structure of the metro. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the progress of the establishment of the OR Tambo University of Science and Innovation,” said Nciza.

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