Phumla Mkize
For the first time since the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was established, the Ga-Rankuwa Campus – which is home to the Faculty of Economics and Finance – will host graduations on campus grounds.
This is thanks to the new state-of-the-art multipurpose hall, completed this year and officially launched on 27 November.
The Ga-Rankuwa Campus, which used to hold graduation ceremonies at the Soshanguve Campus, will celebrate graduations on campus for the first time when the autumn season kicks off in the first half of 2025.
The spanking new hall boasts a seat capacity of 970 with a first-floor gallery that can accommodate about 240.
Until now, the biggest hall at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus had room for only 200 students sitting for exams. The new hall can fit up to 485 students.
In addition to graduations and exams, the hall is ideal for conferences, public lectures and workshops. This also means the Ga-Rankuwa Campus’ flagship community engagement programmes such as the annual tax clinic – have a new home. During the tax clinic, the Faculty’s top experts offer community members, staff and students free tax advice.
The launch was attended by among others Ga-Rankuwa Ward 30 councillor, Tshepo Kgatle, senior members of the South African Police Services in the area, TUT Council members and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Interim Campus Rector, Dr Elikanah Lumadi, said the hall has been years in the making.
He noted that despite the setbacks, the perseverance, hard work and dedication of the leadership of the University ensured that the hall was completed.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Operations Dr Nkgatho Tlale notes that only two buildings out 13 are yet to be completed.
“It was designed with you in mind,” he said to the crowd gathered at the hall.
Executive Dean of Economics and Finance, Professor Polly Mashigo, said the new hall will enhance the academic project at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus. It will eliminate the Campus’ costly and inconvenient reliance on external facilities.
Thanking Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, Mashigo said it was his unwavering support, inspiring leadership and quest for excellence that ensured the project was a success.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Operations, Dr Nkgatho Tlale, also hailed Maluleke’s leadership, noting how he has pushed for the completion of incomplete infrastructure projects.
“When he started at TUT he came to my office and said, I believe there is up to 13 unfinished buildings at TUT. Show me [the buildings]’,” he said.
Tlale took Maluleke to all the incomplete buildings, including the Ga-Rankuwa Hall. Of that 13, only two are yet to be completed, said Dr Tlale.
Campus Student Representative Council President, Ntando Mbonane, said while the launch of the new hall called for a celebration, one building was not enough. She called for a faster pace of delivery and a more robust regime of building maintenance.
Maluleke thanked the Department of Higher Education, particularly the support and encouragement of Higher Education Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. He said without the support of the University Council and student leaders the completion of the hall would not have been possible.
“We are not opening a hall, but we are opening the doors of learning,” he said. “We are here to open a window into the future of work.”
Maluleke said the hall was just the beginning of the rollout of the Ga-Rankuwa infrastructure masterplan.