The Bapedi Kingdom in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, has issued a media statement to address distortions and inaccuracies surrounding the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Sekhukhune Campus development.
The kingdom aims to provide accurate information and clarify misunderstandings about their actions and intentions which highlights misrepresentation of the TUT-Bapedi Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) that seemingly did not mention university development, contradicting TUT's claims
Kingdom spokesperson Serepe Mampuru lamented a lack of communication despite numerous attempts since 2021.
“The kingdom has received no feedback from TUT on the Sekhukhune University establishment project.
“The Bapedi Kingdom emphasises its commitment to transparency, accountability, and open communication. They urge media outlets and the public to verify information directly with them to prevent spreading misinformation,” he said.
He added: “TUT has nine campuses, including Mbombela and Polokwane, offering various programmes. However, the controversy surrounding the Sekhukhune Campus development remains unresolved.
“The kingdom warns against TUT’s attempts to create divisions among Limpopo communities and stresses the unique nature of Sekhukhune’s issues, being the largest mining region in the province with over 35 operational mines,” he said.
The Sekhukhune Royal Kingdom in Limpopo has expressed outrage over the alleged diversion of a project to build a TUT campus on their land to a different location in Giyani.
The Star previously reported that the kingdom claims TUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, hijacked the project despite a 2021 MoU between the two entities.
According to Mampuru, Maluleke redirected the project to Giyani, his hometown, without consulting the royal council.
“We are well aware that Maluleke redirected the building of this campus. At some stage, he set up a meeting with us in Sekhukhune but he never came as promised. He has been ignoring our calls for far too long, and we are not pleased with the way he is treating us,” Mampuru said.
A statement from TUT released recently expressed excitement over developments under way, with the upcoming Giyani Campus and the 2021 TUT-Bapedi MoU.
The Department of Higher Education and Training invited TUT to transform the former Giyani College of Education into a campus in 2021.
“This vision became a reality when Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, at the time, publicly launched the TUT Giyani Campus on July 16, 2022.
“Recently, in August 2024, TUT and the Greater Giyani Municipality signed an Mou, granting TUT permission to occupy the premises. Collaborative efforts with the department and provincial government will soon transform the premises into a site for academic programmes delivery.
“The TUT-Bapedi Kingdom MoU, signed on May 20, 2021, aims to build a knowledge-sharing platform, for information, research, education, and idea sharing, create forums, to discuss research agendas and exchange inputs.
“TUT has engaged with Sekhukhune TVET College and the Limpopo Premier’s Office to explore collaborative research projects in hydrogen energy and mining. The last meeting between TUT and the Bapedi Kingdom took place on July 23, 2024, with ongoing engagements,” the statement read.
The Star