By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube, on Friday officially opened four major infrastructure projects, worth over R600 million, at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), Thohoyandou in Limpopo and praised the institution for improving access by modernising infrastructure.
The projects include the refurbishment of the Heath Sciences building, refurbishment and upgrade of the main administration block as well as a road and bridge upgrade connecting the campus to the Thohoyandou Central Business District.
During her address, Dube Ncube described UNIVEN as a “beacon of hope” in rural higher education.
“The future looks even brighter with your continued efforts at providing quality education in a future ready campus”, Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube said that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) will continue to prioritise the expansion of quality infrastructure across the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system to improve access, especially for students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I hope that this is one of many key- action plans that UNIVEN addresses in the journey of improving the quality of teaching and learning through quality infrastructure and facilities”, she said.
In her keynote address she outlined the state’s investments through department’s earmarked grants, together with the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) and the Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme (SB-DP).
She said a total of R33.088 billion has been allocated to 24 universities across six IEG cycles, which are a typically rolling three-year period each.
Of this amount, R13.097 billion or 40% went to the eight Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs), which are Walter Sisulu University (WSU) received R2.413 billion (7.30%) and Mangosuthu University of Technology received R1.237 billion (3.74%). R1.367 billion (4.13%) was allocated to UNIVEN across these cycles, with additional support through the SB-DP since 2015/16.
“This programme represents the single largest capacity-development intervention by Government that is wholly dedicated to the future development and empowerment of our historically disadvantaged universities”, she said.
The projects are funded through combination of IEG, SB-DP and UNIVEN’s own resources. An amount of R22 million went to the Faculty of Health Sciences Building, to integrate a new teaching and research hub, that brings together four health disciplines, equipped with modern labs, research facilities and student learning spaces.
R174 million was directed to the Punda Maria Road and Bridge Project, which comprises a dual carriageway and a 32-metre cable-stayed bridge, connecting Thohoyandou town centre to the campus, improving safety and accessibility.
R168 million was allocated to the Main Administration Building and was used to fully refurbish and modernise the administrative centre, with upgraded electrical, mechanical, and electronic systems.
Lastly, R71 million went to the Advanced Nursing Science Simulation Building and used for facilities including advanced simulation labs, digital classrooms, and high-fidelity training equipment that replicate real clinical environments.
Deputy Minister said that these 4 projects align with the DHET Macro-Infrastructure Framework.
She said that these projects form part of the “National Development Goals of 2030, and most importantly for the residents of Venda and surrounds, the Thulamela Municipality and broader Vhembe District Municipality, these projects fall into the UNIVEN 2040 Vision for academic excellence and rural development”.
The DHET said they are looking to the improved infrastructure to expand research and academic output, particularly in health sciences. The upgrades are also expected to Improve student mobility and campus accessibility and strengthen administrative efficiency and governance.
Dube-Ncube said the department invested in these amenities for “inclusive growth and innovation in higher education,” to support quality education through partnerships between government, universities and communities.
The Dube-Ncube urged that there needs to be improved maintenance across the higher education sector.
“The maintenance of higher educational facilities is crucial”, she said.
She said that deferred maintenance of facilities has escalated costs beyond what universities and government can manage, which leads to premature deterioration of buildings.
Dube Ncube noted that a lack of maintenance and limited government resources hinder the expansion of the PSET system. “It is important that we all be prudent and efficient in the use and management of our existing infrastructure”, she said
She again stressed that, “universities must lead the way in ensuring that facilities are environmentally sustainable, energy efficient, accessible, and durable”.
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