A dream going back 14 years is fast becoming a reality at the entrance to Dundee as the R120-million Dundee Technology Centre nears completion. The first students are expected to enrol in January 2016.
Funded by Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Newcastle, the campus will accommodate 2000 students and support staff, including lecturers, of around 80 or even perhaps up to 100.
The area covers an impressive 110 hectares. The contractors, Siyaxhasana of Vryheid, believe that the building will be completed within the next month or so – quite an achievement considering the masses of rocks that had to be excavated in the area alongside the vehicle testing station.
Architect, Tjaart van der Walt, has cleverly worked the boulders into the design and with local landscaper, Dawn Cremer, the rocks have made for attractive gardens with the courtyards of the campus.
The building itself is impressive and incorporates a multi-purpose hall able to accommodate 1200 people which will also be hired out for private functions.
The lecture rooms lend themselves to learning with all the modern amenities and the staff rooms and head of department offices will offer staff respite from the rigours of teaching.
There is also a resource centre, library with an internet café and a meeting room for the Students Representative Council.
Currently, the small campus at the former Dundee Glencoe Commando offices accommodates 1200 students. Classes run on two shifts to accommodate all the lessons.
Sanele Mlotshwa, rector of the Majuba TVET College, said the campus will be retained and hoped that in future the new campus would be extended to include agricultural studies by using the adjacent farming land.

“The new college will offer engineering and business studies in one location. There is a great deal of excitement. Majuba has for many years offered students in the area better quality education, opening new doors for them and growing their future. Research has shown that the Endumeni area does not have an institution of this calibre and many students relocate to further their tertiary studies.”
The campus manager is Patrick Mbatha who currently manages the centre at the former Commando building.
A 14 year battle
It was in 2001 that the idea for a college in Dundee was first mooted by the Umzinyathi Education Centre Board (on Tatham Street) and pioneered by Dr Mike Lötter, Kevin Burge and Dave Durham.
The original idea was to move the centre to the land alongside the testing station. The Endumeni Municipality, who put in funding for planning and environmental impact studies, supported this.
After a lengthy rigmarole, Majuba College backed the venture and a survey was done through the Courier and the municipality to test exactly what kind of training students desired in the area.
“96% wanted artisan trading. More discussions followed and at one stage it appeared as if the project would fall flat. Thanks to pressure locally, and support from then Education MEC Ina Cronje, the project was given the go-ahead and this is what we now see,” said Kevin Burge.
The initial idea was to include workshops for practical training and hopes are that once the campus is up and running this too will become a reality.