Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College is over the moon with the opening of their brand-new campus in Dundee, KwaZulu- Natal. 

This campus will make it possible for thousands more students to further their education and improve their future prospects. The latter half of 2015 brought joyous tidings for Majuba TVET College as it reached the conclusion of a process that had begun in 2012.

Through the interventions of former MEC for Education, Ina Cronje, the new Dundee Technology Centre Campus is now fully operational. Principal Sanele Mlotshwa provided insight into the development. “Former MEC Cronje wished for a campus to serve the town of Dundee and approached the Majuba TVET College Council.”  

In his words, the college was willing to “take up the challenge”. First operating from a renovated building once used by the local commando, Majuba TVET College realised the need for a new purpose-fit site and met with Endumeni Municipality. Mr Mlotshwa noted that the municipality had agreed to sell land near the traffic department. “It was a difficult site because of the many rocks that lay buried. As a consequence, the land was offered to Majuba TVET College free of charge,” he said. 
Earmarking about R60-million for the project’s first phase, the college also approached MEC Cronje to secure matching funding commitment to the project. Unfortunately, owing to shifting circumstances, the college had to make alternative arrangements. “We had to initiate an alternative plan in lieu of the funds from the MEC’s sources. Ultimately, R120-million was approved for the new build from the college’s own coffers,” Mr Mlotshwa added.

Work on the Dundee Campus began in earnest in 2014. Frequent rains, the aforementioned rocks and a municipal workers’ strike caused numerous delays. 


Despite the setbacks “We wanted to ensure that we could offer a complete campus to Dundee and outlying students by
2016,” said Mr Mlotshwa.

The new campus offers Engineering and Business studies programmes in one location, utilising existing facilities in order to accommodate additional students. Mr Mlotshwa noted the great anticipation for the opening of the campus: “The college is focusing on all post-school students. People are really excited about this new facility.” He appealed to stakeholders to fully support the college and extended thanks to all contributors for their services. 


“Local government and business work together to make this college a success,” he added.

Arecent Open Day at the new Dundee Technology Centre Campus was convened to provide information to parents and prospective students. The Honourable Mayor of Endumeni, Councillor Thulani Mahaye, addressed the approximately 600 prospective students. 


He noted that the college had partnered with the Endumeni Municipality in order to establish the new campus in Dundee.

The smart-looking complex has transformed the entrance of the idyllic town on Karel Landman Street. Mayor Mahaye further added that “Dundee has been identified as a ‘high priority area’ for higher education institutions owing to high unemployment rates in the area”. “Previously, students from Dundee, Glencoe, Nquthu and surrounding areas travelled to Newcastle to attend courses at Majuba TVET College,” Mayor Mahaye said. 


He added that the municipality had temporarily allowed the former commando building, adjacent to the municipality, to be used by the college for education and training. The college intends to continue using the building for courses. It is anticipated that around 2 000 students will enrol at the new Dundee Technology Centre Campus in the course of this year.




Nashveer Nemesar is a Marketing, Branding and Communications Specialist for Majuba TVET College


Categories: Education