‘Hands off TUT construction projects’
Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha warns against groups disrupting TUT campus construction, urging unity to secure long-term benefits.
LIMPOPO – Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha warned that any individuals forming groups with the intention of disrupting the construction works at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Giyani Campus, which is scheduled to open its doors in January, would not be tolerated.
Zitha delivered the warning during the university’s public participation meeting held on Monday at the Philadelphia Church in Church View.
Mayor urges unity as campus progresses
The event was aimed at updating the public on the progress of the construction work currently underway at the campus, and also to provide a platform for residents to ask questions or seek clarity.
“Since the announcement by former Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande that the university would open in Giyani, the town has been buzzing with excitement and renewed economic activity,” Zitha said.
She said the establishment of the campus will not only benefit Greater Giyani but also surrounding municipalities in Mopani and the province as a whole, stimulating local economic growth and improving access to higher education.
“The presence of the institution,” she added, “has the potential to nurture innovation and critical thinking within local communities.
Zitha called on traditional leaders, community stakeholders, and residents to work together to ensure the success of the project. She urged the community to look beyond the physical construction and consider the long-term academic and social benefits that the university will bring.
Warnings for groups seeking personal gain
Zitha warned that there were individuals who formed community groups under the pretext of representing the community’s grievances, while their real intention was to hijack government projects for their own personal benefit.
“There’s a growing trend where individuals form community forums as a means to hijack public projects for personal gain. While it is a constitutional right for people to form their own forums, we will not allow these platforms to destabilise development at the expense of our community,” she said.
She urged those interested in doing business with the university to ensure that their dealings follow the institution’s procurement policies and systems.
Traditional leaders call for cooperation
The mayor’s call was supported by Hosi Homu, who emphasised the importance of having TUT opened in Giyani for the benefit of the community, noting how long and difficult the journey has been to secure a university for the area.
“If we start behaving in a disruptive manner, we may lose this opportunity to have a university at home,” he warned, as people clapped their hands in support.
