LIMPOPO – Phase 1 of the renovation of the former Giyani College of Education campus has taken a step closer following a visit by Education Director General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi to Giyani on Tuesday to assess the situation at the campus.

The visit to Giyani was part of the efforts to monitor progress on the plans to convert the former Giyani College of Education into a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus by early next year.

The visit paves the way for Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane’s visit before the end of the year to ensure that progress is fast-tracked.

During his visit to Giyani on Tuesday, the director general urged stakeholders to ensure that all targets related to the establishment of the TUT campus in Giyani are met.

“This is a significant project with life-changing opportunities for the people of Giyani and the surrounding areas in the Mopani district. We cannot afford any delays, colleagues. This project must be delivered on time,” said Sishi after touring the Giyani College facility to inspect the infrastructure and assess its condition.

The director general used the meeting to review the checklist of all the requirements needed to get the campus up and running within the stipulated timeframe.

“This project must be operational by January next year. I have toured the facility, and based on what I’ve seen, we should be able to complete phase 1 in time for classes to begin next year,” he explained.

He also mentioned that Higher Education has already allocated money to tertiary institutions, including Tshwane University of Technology. “TUT has received money, some of which will support students who will enrol at this campus,” he added.

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The director general’s visit follows the recent signing of the Permission to Occupy agreement between the Greater Giyani Municipality and the TUT, which paved the way for TUT to begin the implementation and renovation process at the campus.

According to him, phase 1 of the project, which must be completed before the campus opens, will include all the necessary services for the first intake early next year. “These include the renovation of the auditorium, lecture halls, library, kitchen, hostels, and the fixing systems for bulk water supply systems, electricity, and others, including IT services,” he said.

The director general added that he was pleased with the state of the facility, expressing confidence that the target will be met. “I initially thought we would start with four classes, but after touring the facility, I realised we could add even more,” he said, urging the TUT representatives at the event to fast-track the renovation process.