Sod turned for new Unisa campus
The sod-turning ceremony for the proposed University of South Africa (Unisa) campus in Uvongo took place on Thursday last week and was a significant milestone for the South Coast.
If all goes according to plan, in two years’ time South Coasters will have access to their very own university campus.
The sod-turning ceremony for the proposed University of South Africa (Unisa) campus in Uvongo took place on Thursday last week and was a significant milestone for the South Coast.
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Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Mandla Makhanya said the university had always strived to open the doors of learning for all, regardless of race, gender, or geographical location, adding that with the construction of the new campus they would secure a foothold for future generations.
He said the Mbizana Regional Services Centre, currently housed at the Wild Coast Sun, would be relocated to the new state-of-the-art building in Uvongo, which will offer almost all of the services available to students at other well-established centres.
“On completion, the centre will offer current and prospective students services such as online applications, registration, typing and submission of assignments, counselling, computer laboratories, classrooms, tutorials and study space, video conferencing, an advocacy and resource centre for students with disabilities, as well as a hall for writing examinations.”
Prof Makhanya praised the momentum of the undertaking.
It took just six months to go from engagement between the university and the municipality to identifying a piece of land and signing a memorandum of understanding to the sod-turning ceremony.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) mayor Cynthia Mqwebu said this was a great initiative as not only will the university benefit South Coasters, but the facility would service outlying areas as well.
“It’s a great pleasure to witness RNM’s long-standing dream to have a higher learning institution on the lower South Coast take shape,” she said.
Inkosi Mxolisi Xolo, speaking on behalf of the local traditional leadership, commended the municipality for donating land to the university.
“You could have chosen to sell the land to investors and make a lot of money for the municipality, but you chose education; you chose to invest in the future.”
The Inkosi said this meant more Amakhosi and their communities could receive higher education right on their doorstep.
RNM municipal manager Max Mbili said construction of the campus should be complete by 2021.
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