Majuba College has re-acted swiftly to complaints of littering and J-walking students following the opening of the R120-million Dundee Technology Centre in January.
The Courier has received many complaints that the hundreds of students who walk up to the Centre ‘J-walk’ in front of the traffic during peak morning and afternoon periods.
There are also concerns that the hawkers, who have followed the student population to the Centre and have set up temporary food stalls outside the building, are ‘litter originators’.
“Dundee’s only decent entry to town is at risk of becoming an eyesore as the town tries to promote itself as a tourist destination,” said one reader, Barbara.

Reacting to the complaints, Vishnu Chatturgoon (Deputy Director of Corporate Services, Majuba College), Owen van Aardt (Projects Co-ordinator) and Pravin Sumair (Health and Safety Manager) told the Courier that the biggest problem was that the state-of-the-art canteen in the Centre had been left in limbo after the person who had received the tender to run the canteen had failed to do so.
“At the moment, there is no canteen so the tender is in the process of being advertised. Obviously, the students go hungry so the hawkers have followed them here. However, we are just as concerned that the food sold should not be detrimental to anyone’s health,” said Mr Chatturgoon.
“Right now, students run across the busy Karelandman Street to buy from hawkers or gather at the side of the road to queue up which poses a danger. Our temporary proposal is to build a gate at the side of the Centre to allow the hawkers to trade under the trees which means students will no longer have to cross the road.
“The hawkers’ tables are away from the road and they will be responsible for cleaning up their area. Already, the municipality has supplied some refuse bins for which we are grateful.
“The problem will probably lessen once the Centre’s canteen is up and running.”
The Traffic Department is to be asked to ensure pedestrians keep off the road.

New lawn area will improve aesthetics

Asked about aesthetics, Mr van Aardt said plans were underway with a landscaper to grass the 4000 squares metres of land at the Centre. “The current water crisis has slowed down this project but we are confident that the Centre will indeed be an attraction at the entrance to town.”
A new sign proclaiming, Dundee Technological Centre, is also to be ‘soon erected’.
Mr Chatturgoon said 1250 students are currently being accommodated but this can increase to 2000 once the ‘platoon system’ (morning and afternoon classes) is running.
The N1 to N3 subjects are still being taught at the Beaconsfield Street campus while the N4 to N6 classes are being held ‘up top’.
The Majuba team pleaded with ‘residents to bear with us’ as they ‘get everything up and running’.
“We have a great relationship with the municipality and we want to be very much part of this town.
“We thank those who have already assisted us in resolving issues.”