Question NW3542 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
11 December 2023 - NW3542
Shikwambana, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What (a) is the status of the establishment of a new campus of the Tshwane University of Technology Giyani campus and (b) specific time frames has his department set in this regard?
Reply:
a) The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Giyani Campus is being established at the former Giyani College of Education which is currently owned by the Limpopo Department of Education (LDE). In May 2023, my department commenced with a feasibility study for the establishment of the campus, but it then experienced a delay of more than 5 months from the side of LDE. An agreement on the way forward was reached on 16 October and the Department is now finalizing the feasibility study. Notwithstanding the delay mentioned above, in September 2023 I allocated R31.916 million to TUT for the University to carry out refurbishments and deferred maintenance on existing facilities upon the completion of the feasibility study.
b) The feasibility study will be completed in December 2023 and TUT will commence with the refurbishment and deferred maintenance in February 2024 which will enable the first intake of students during the 2025 academic year. Subject to the current budget cuts process, more funding will be allocated from 2024/25 onwards and over an anticipated 6-year period. The funding to be allocated during 2024/25 will enable TUT to start with the planning of the major projects during the 2024 calendar year.