Newcastle Mayor, Cllr Xolani Dube, recently announced during the Mayoral Roadshows for the Newcastle Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan that the Municipality has reportedly agreed with UNISA to establish a tertiary educational facility in the town.
Reflecting on the establishment of the university, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit confirmed that there is currently a lease agreement between the Newcastle Municipality and UNISA.
Thus, the tertiary educational facility will be situated at the Old Borough Engineers offices, situated at the corner of Hospital and Link Street, a stone’s throw away from Mediclinic Newcastle.
According to the Newcastle Municipality, renovations on the building have already commenced with the cost for Phase 1 of the facility estimated at R2,570,000, and Phase 2 projected to cost R3,693,659.53.
Phase 1 renovations will consist of the following:
- Replacement of roof covering and roof trusses
- Filling of the flooring slabs with concrete
- Fixing cracked walls, plumbing and drainage
Phase 2 of the work will consist of the following:
- Construction of a new ramp
- Electrification of the building
- Construction of the new ablution block
- Floor covering
- Removal of old aircons
- Painting of the building
The facility is expected to be complete by January 2025 and once operational, it will serve as a regional educational hub for Newcastle and its neighbouring towns.
Looking at the establishment of the facility, the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit said, “This project will catalyse the developmental agenda that will unlock key sectors of the town’s economy and provide much needed jobs for the unemployed leading to a sizeable growth within the GDP.”
Additionally, the Unit further elaborated that the preliminary aspirations of Newcastle Municipality are its classification as a city by 2035. “However, one of the many prerequisites that the Newcastle Municipality requires for its ranking as a city is a Multi-Campus University. Therefore, establishment of a UNISA campus forms part of a forward steppingstone towards the Municipality’s goal of being classified as a city in line with the 2035 programme,” said the Communications Unit, who further noted the facility would also improve revenue enhancement.
Cllr Faizel Cassim of Newcastle Municipality’s Executive Council emphasised the significant impact the facility will have on Newcastle.
“It will be beneficial as youngsters will no longer have to travel to cities such as Pietermaritzburg or Johannesburg for their tertiary education, saving their families money in terms of accommodation and travel. It will also see money coming into town, as the facility will attract youngsters from the Ladysmith, Dannhauser and Dundee Municipalities, and seeing them spending in town,” explained Cllr Cassim.
Furthermore, Cllr Cassim highlighted that the facility aligns with Newcastle Municipality’s vision for 2035, where Newcastle aims to become a metropolitan area.
In conclusion, the Municipality’s Communications noted that it was essential to reflect on the motto of the 2017/2018 Integrated Development Plan, “By 2035 Newcastle will be a resilient and economically vibrant City promoting service excellence to its citizens.”
From the above, the Communications Unit highlighted that the emphasis on Newcastle becomes apparent. “And it is on this strength that the town has taken the new approach to make know its future plans with a view to market and sell the vision to potential investors.However, the municipality is cognitive of the fact that it cannot build and transform the town to the Metropolitan area without the strategic partnerships and support from the stakeholders. In this context that we view UNISA as our partner and essential stakeholder in this developmental agenda,” the Communications Units concluded.
What are your thoughts on the above? Share your views in the comment section below.
11 Responses
This is fabulous for Newcastle.
Just before the elections…
The public announcements come at a very convenient time, as with all the Roadshow announcements.
Almost 4 years of silence, and now the Municipality has become a shining beacon of development…
Our honarable Mayor Dube of Newcastle, along with Unisa have reached an amicable decision that will ineed give us the residents a step into the right direction. This is good news. UNISA is an international brand and its qualifications are recognised internationally as well. The IFP is serving Newcastle well, we are able to observe and salute the great initiatives. Let’s grow our people, let us grow our town.✌
We are so impressed about this Newcastle University and it was the dream of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
This was His 10 year plan to develop Newcastle to be the City to avoid traveling to other Cities like Johannesburg and Durban.
Today we will be proud to be best with tertiary education.
We must open mines that were close long ago.
I thank you for the future version for our community development.
Thank you
The Municipality must also consider patnering with one of the Universities of Technology as well as one of the Health Sciences University, only than will Newcastle be approaching City Status.
As a Newcastle resident, I appreciate the development of our town. This educational facility will indeed have a significant impact on the Newcastilleans for it will benefit youngsters and the future generations around Newcastle and it’s surroundings. It’s interesting and pleasing that the facility will also market and sell the vision to potential investors. This is greatly appreciated
Being a city is just a status symbol. Do we need more graduates as there are thousands sitting at home without prospects of finding employment. Doctors, nurses, teachers, technicians etc.Can the Municipality not sort out the basic infrastructure in our town before embarking on major projects?This town is in a deplorable state. The university is of value to us but let’s get our basics right first.
I will no
I will no longer comment as my freedom of speech has been muzzled. It seems as if you don’t approve of constructive comments.
Good day, Raj
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Thank you for the feedback.
Let’s tackle youth unemployment first, let’s not increase it.