LIMPOPO – As the opening of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus in Giyani draws near, ANC chief whip Thomas Makondo has called on the Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) to intensify its preparations for the expected influx of people into the town.

Speaking during the tabling of the Greater Giyani budget for the 2025/26 financial year in the community hall on Thursday, Makondo said that the launch of the TUT campus at the Giyani College Campus would significantly transform the town’s outlook. He noted that the new institution is expected to bring in no less than 5 000 people, including students, staff, and service providers.

This, he said, would create both opportunities and challenges that the municipality must be ready to address.

“Mayor, we must acknowledge that with the TUT campus set to open here at the Giyani College Campus, the outlook of Giyani is going to change,” explained Makondo, urging businesspeople to take advantage of the new economic opportunities that will come with the presence of the university.

He urged the municipality to focus on infrastructure development, particularly the paving of roads in and around the campus area. He emphasised that proper planning is needed to ensure the town can accommodate a growing population and increased traffic.

“We believe that the opening of the TUT campus alone will bring in a population of no less than five thousand people,” he explained, saying the population growth would increase the demand for goods and services, creating a chance for businesses to grow and expand.

Makondo also highlighted the importance of improving access roads leading to strategic areas such as the Shangoni Gate in the Kruger National Park, which he described as a catalytic project with the potential to create many job opportunities for residents.

“As a municipality, we need to focus on that particular area by ensuring that the existing infrastructure can easily accommodate all the people who will be coming to Giyani when the campus opens. We must plan accordingly and ensure that we improve road access into the municipality and around the TUT campus area, including the road leading to the Shangoni Gate in the Kruger National Park, as that is also one of our catalytic projects with the potential to create many job opportunities,” he said.

In addition to the call for infrastructure readiness, Makondo praised the municipality for increasing the budget allocated to the Mayor’s Tournament. He said the tournament plays a key role in uniting the community and providing entertainment throughout the year.

Makondo said he hoped the increased budget of R2.7 million would allow for better incentives and support for the teams that participate in the tournament, as that would encourage many people to participate.

“We hope that the two-point-seven million allocated to the tournament will not only support its smooth running but also be used to increase incentives and prize money for the winning teams. This will motivate greater participation, encourage healthy competition, and help nurture local talent across the various sporting codes featured in the tournament,” said Makondo as he concluded.