MEDIA STATEMENT
31 October 2013
Minister Blade Nzimande launches the University of
Mpumalanga
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, has officially
launched the University of Mpumalanga at an event attended by the Premier of
Mpumalanga, Mr David Mabuza, members of the Mpumalanga Provincial legislature,
traditional leaders, academia, business people as well as thousands of community
members from different parts of the province. The launch has been hailed as a
significant milestone in government’s programme to significantly increase access to
higher education.
In his keynote address, the Minister acknowledged the work completed to date and
affirmed the Department’s commitment to the 2014 start-up of the university. He
explained that the university would incorporate the infrastructure of the province’s
three existing higher learning institutions, which would allow it to open its doors next
year.
“Until now, Mpumalanga has been one of only two provinces without a university in
its territory. While the Lowveld Agricultural College at Mbombela, the hospitality
school at KaNyamazane and the Siyabuswa education campus have provided some
of the framework for higher learning, there was still a need to establish fully-fledged
university in the province that would satisfy the academic and economic ambitions of
the people. The new University of Mpumalanga will do just that. Incorporating the
infrastructure of the three institutions that already exist, and already a legallyestablished entity, the university will admit its first students at the beginning of the
2014 academic year,” he said.
With the primary economic basis of Mpumalanga being founded in the fields of
agriculture and tourism, and with the aim of embracing the needs of the province, the
Minister said the new university would offer diplomas in Agriculture and Hospitality,
and a Bachelor degree in Foundation Phase Education in its first year. He added that
the institution would increase its programme and qualification offering year-on-year
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to encompass degrees in Life Sciences, Business Economics and Management
Studies, Communication, Health and related sciences.
Together, these disciplines will work to grow the region’s existing economy, and
ensure the university becomes an academic centre of excellence, with a strong
commitment to its communities and the region as a whole.
On a broader scale, the University of Mpumalanga is expected to significantly
enhance the country’s knowledge production and innovation capacity.
In his address, Mpumalanga Premier, Mr David Mabuza, said today’s launch was a
poignant moment for him, as it marked the realisation of a personal dream to see a
university built in the province.
He noted that Mbombela was selected to host the new university as, among others,
it was well integrated with the regional and local movement infrastructure; was
directly linked with the growth in the R40 road and the Development Corridor; had
established bulk infrastructure; had the space for future expansion; and offered quick
operational and academic establishment.
As one of the first new universities to be launched since 1994, the University of
Mpumalanga symbolises the ambitions of South Africa’s new society – that of
democracy, inclusiveness, growth and opportunity for all. Founded on the highest
academic and administrative principles, the university aspires to be an academic
destination of choice for all qualifying school leavers and a centre of excellence
worthy of assuming its place among South Africa’s other renowned institutions of
higher learning. Its vision is to provide its students and staff with the highest level of
academic opportunity in an environment that mirrors the respect, progressiveness
and best practice of a 21st century institution.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Ms Nomonde Mbadi
Ministry: Higher Education and Training
[email protected]
012 312 5538
083 383 2123
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Ms Kefilwe Manana Makhanya
Department of Higher Education and Training
[email protected]
012 312 6195
072 285 8662
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