Community demand answers on Elijah Mango College
Community members of KaBokweni said young people could benefit if the college is turned into a TVET college or a skills development centre.
Residents say the government has remained silent on the future of the dilapidated Elijah Mango College. According to the community, officials used to engage with residents during progress meetings, but the last one was reportedly held in May, with no updates since.
One concerned community member, Shando Magagula, said the college, that was previously used for nursing training, has been neglected and subjected to vandalism since its closure. The building has been looted of water pipes, electrical cables and equipment.
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Magagula told Lowvelder Express that Nsikazi is the only community without a TVET college. Travel to higher learning institutions in town is unaffordable for many. He added that converting the building into a college or skills development centre would greatly benefit the youth.
“We all witnessed the building slowly dying. People began stripping it, and eventually it was left like this. If the government had properly utilised or privatised it, nobody would have vandalised it,” said Magagula.
He accused the government of using the building for political gain and questioned the purpose of hiring a security company to guard the empty structure after it had already been damaged.
“The community is no longer sure which department is responsible for the building,” he said. “At first it was the Department of Health, then the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea).”
Magagula said they have since been told it is the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport’s (DPWRT) responsibility.
He believes that, in addition to providing a local skills development centre, effective use of the building could boost the surrounding economy by creating jobs.
This publication previously reported that in March 2024, Dardlea announced plans to refurbish the college, inviting other departments to participate. It had also been occupying part of the building for use as an agricultural training centre.
Dardlea spokesperson, Zanele Shabangu, said the department is no longer involved, adding that all plans are now with the DPWRT.
Its spokesperson, Bongani Dhlamini, said this department plans to use the building for Ehlanzeni TVET and has received a formal request to that effect.
“We are currently in the process of finalising the building transfers and title deeds,” he said.
