Don’t ignore the university in Brakpan

Forget Russia, come look at this varsity, central to all Ekurhuleni towns, writes Ernest Waner.

With reference to the editorial “Cancelled soccer jol was suspect”. Your article points out the exact situation concerning politicians and their socalled jobs in parliament.

Ms Bozolli wanted to go to Russia to assist tertiary education in South Africa. She doesn’t even respond to the requests of the Brakpan University Initiative to come and see what we are proposing in Brakpan.

We have a site ideal for education already built up (Ekurhuleni is the only metro without a university). The 200-hectare site with buildings and sports fields belongs to the municipality.

With a replacement value of R3 billion in place, it could be operational in 12 months’ time, with an administration and teachers organised by the department of Higher Education as a satellite of an existing university.

Blade Nzimande in his previous post as minister of higher education was asked to come and see the site on numerous occasions. He didn’t respond and was more interested in what is happening in Palestine, than in Brakpan.

I like what you said about parliamentarians, “most of whom have no experience in the real world”.

I have even approached the EFF. They too were too busy to meet with us.

The two universities built since 1994, were budgeted for at R6 billion each in Nelspruit and Kimberley. After three years the one has 300 students and the other 400. The university in Brakpan would grow enormously as it is central to all Ekurhuleni towns.