UNISA celebrates 150 years
Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has hailed the University of South Africa (UNISA) as the mother of the country’s university system as it celebrates 150 years of existence. Nzimande said this as various stakeholders celebrated the milestone on Monday, 26 June. UNISA CELEBRATES 150 YEARS In an interview with Newzroom Afrika Nzimande said UNISA has played […]
Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has hailed the University of South Africa (UNISA) as the mother of the country’s university system as it celebrates 150 years of existence.
Nzimande said this as various stakeholders celebrated the milestone on Monday, 26 June.
UNISA CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika Nzimande said UNISA has played a huge role in the university system in the country as it gave birth to a lot of other universities.
“A lot of universities started as university colleges under UNISA. It has more than a million alumni and is the single largest university possibly in the whole continent. In South Africa UNISA has one third of our university students and more than half of the country’s basic education teachers are produced by UNISA,” he said.
Nzimande congratulated UNISA and said it should serve for the the next 150 years again.
UNISA is today celebrating its 150th anniversary. Newzroom Afrika's @ZiyandaNgcobo speaks to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, who says there's more to the university than the current administrative challenges. #Unisa150
Watch: https://t.co/ZLFRNBcMvX#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/1ii5PWcFiy
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 26, 2023
INDEPENDENT ASSESSOR RELEASES SCATHING REPORT
Nzimande appointed Independent Assessor, Professor Themba Mosia to investigate various issues at UNISA.
Mosia who recently released his report recommended that an administrator be appointed to steer UNISA into the right direction.
The scathing 300-page report found that the Vice-Chancellor Puleng Lenkabula has been flouting procurement procedures for five years. Lenkabula is alleged to have slurped on renovations to her VC residence up to the tune of R3 Million. Upgrades include R277 000 for furniture, R600 000 on flooring. The report also details the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz SUV at a cost of almost R2 million and office renovations.
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Mosia also exposed how Lenkabula added on additional staff to her office, which included a chef and a head of social media. The new team would cost the University approximately R14 million. Other staff members received salary increases and backpay dating back to 2007.
“It has also come to my attention that three personal assistants in the office of the VC received substantial backpay following backdated upgrades in post levels. The total backpay for the three personal assistants amounted to R2,9m,” Mosia said.
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