Latest news with #Maphutha
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Vatsonga Machangani Forum condemns personal attacks on TUT Vice-Chancellor
Calls for unity as Vatsonga Forum addresses accusations against TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke Image: IOL/Independent Newspapers The Vatsonga Machangani Forum has issued a strong condemnation of what it described as the recent 'personal attacks' directed at Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), following a complaint lodged at the office of the Public Protector. The organisation decried what it calls "the baseless allegations made by William Maphutha, who claims to represent an organisation in Sekhukhune," and emphasised the importance of respecting institutions and the individuals working toward educational development. Unjust Attacks and Misinformation Maphutha's claims stem from a report that the Bapedi Royal Kingdom in Sekhukhune has lodged a formal complaint with the South African Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka. The complaint alleged that TUT has sabotaged efforts to establish a university in Sekhukhune—specifically a proposed University of Mining and Agriculture—despite a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2021 between the Bapedi Kingdom and TUT. Maphutha, through his company Batsumi Pty Ltd, asserts that he pioneered the project and accuses TUT of hijacking it without proper consultation. However, the Vatsonga Machangani Forum said that these claims are unfounded. A statement released on Friday highlighted that Maphutha's recent communication does not address any legitimate concerns regarding project communication but instead targets Professor Maluleke, falsely alleging that he is from Giyani and implying misconduct. The organisation condemned these tactics as attempts to incite tribal bigotry and undermine the integrity of the Vice-Chancellor. "The recent personal attacks on Professor Tinyiko Maluleke are not only unfounded but also deliberately aimed at undermining the integrity of an esteemed academic and leader," said the Vatsonga Machangani Forum. The Truth About the Giyani Campus According to the forum, the campaign for a university in Giyani predates recent political promises. 'Since 2004, Vatsonga Machangani leaders, including Dr Ndhambi of the Khatsani Education Foundation, have advocated tirelessly for higher education in Giyani—long before President Cyril Ramaphosa's public commitment to establishing a mining university in the region.' The forum said that the push for the Giyani TUT campus is rooted in decades of community-driven efforts to foster economic growth and development. "Our community has been calling for a university in Giyani since 2004—long before political promises were made. This is a fight for our future, not personal gain," the Forum said. 'Despite opposition rooted in tribalism and fears of change, the economic potential of the Giyani campus is undeniable.' The organisation argued that the hostility now expressed by some groups reflects a reluctance to embrace progress and the positive impact that higher education institutions can bring to impoverished regions. "Both Giyani and Sekhukhune deserve their institutions of higher learning," the Forum asserts. "Our focus should be on collaboration, not conflict." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A Call for Fairness and Respect The Vatsonga Machangani Forum underscored that Professor Maluleke is not alone in creating the Giyani campus. 'It is the culmination of long-standing advocacy by local communities and organisations committed to expanding access to higher education.' They maintained that both Giyani and Sekhukhune deserve their own universities and that competition or rivalry should not be used to discredit efforts. 'South Africa faces a significant shortage of university spaces, with many matriculants unable to access tertiary education. Both regions should benefit from expansion, not be pitted against each other. "There is enough room in South Africa for both Giyani and Sekhukhune to thrive through expanded access to higher education," read the statement. Refuting Reckless Accusations 'Maphutha's accusations against Professor Maluleke go as far as calling him a "manipulator of truth" and a "thief"—claims that are reckless, unfounded, and damaging. 'The Vice-Chancellor's reputation, built on integrity and academic excellence, must not be tarnished by falsehoods. "Claims that Professor Maluleke is a 'thief' or 'manipulator of truth' are reckless and baseless. He has dedicated his career to education and community upliftment," emphasised the Forum. The Forum added that TUT has already taken steps toward establishing a Sekhukhune campus, including a letter dated April 12, 2025, confirming the appointment of a partner to conduct a market study. It said any naming or branding issues, such as references to a "Sekhukhune University of Mining and Agriculture," should be addressed through proper channels and official processes, not inflammatory rhetoric. "Claims that TUT hijacked the project are unfounded. The university is committed to serving all communities and is engaging in official processes to develop the Sekhukhune campus," the forum stated. Ending the Cycle of Tribalism and Division The Vatsonga Machangani Forum called on the Limpopo provincial government and relevant authorities to foster social cohesion and facilitate development efforts in Sekhukhune and Giyani. They stressed that tribalism and divisive tactics only hinder progress and deepen divisions. "We call on authorities to foster social cohesion and support our communities' development efforts instead of fuelling tribal divisions," urged the Forum. The organisation said that community leaders and advocates remain committed to advancing educational opportunities in their regions. It urges all stakeholders to work together in good faith, putting aside personal and tribal conflicts in pursuit of shared development goals. TUT did not respond to IOL by the time of the publication. IOL
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Bapedi Royal Kingdom submits complaint to Public Protector over TUT's alleged sabotage of university project
Students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Image: Phill Magakoe / Independent Newspapers The Bapedi Royal Kingdom in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, has submitted a formal complaint to Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, concerning allegations of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) sabotaging the Sekhukhune university project. The kingdom, through the founder of the establishment project, William Maphutha, claims that the current TUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, hijacked the project despite a 2021 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two bodies. Maphutha has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector of South Africa, alleging that the Tshwane TUT hijacked and misappropriated the proposed establishment of a University of Mining and Agriculture in Sekhukhune. According to Maphutha, his company, Batsumi Pty Ltd, pioneered the concept of establishing a university in Sekhukhune with a focus on mining and agriculture in collaboration with TUT and the Bapedi Kingdom. However, despite the initial interest and support from TUT, the project has been redirected to Giyani, Limpopo, without any formal consultation or acknowledgment given to the original project initiators or the Bapedi Kingdom. Maphutha has requested Gcaleka to investigate the circumstances surrounding the relocation of the project to Giyani, establish whether there was any procedural misconduct or abuse of power by TUT management, recognise and protect the intellectual contribution of Batsumi Pty Ltd and the Bapedi Kingdom, and facilitate a resolution that is fair, transparent, and restores confidence and peace between the affected communities. Maphutha further claims that despite numerous written requests for updates, particularly directed to Maluleke, TUT has remained silent. 'Since 2021, however, communication from TUT ceased without explanation. 'Despite numerous written requests for updates – particularly directed to the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke – we received no response,' Maphutha said. The redirection of the project has sparked tensions between the community in Sekhukhune, with local stakeholders feeling betrayed and excluded from a project that they not only conceptualised but helped formalise. 'This redirection has sparked tensions between communities in Sekhukhune and Giyani, as local stakeholders in Sekhukhune feel betrayed and excluded from a project that they not only conceptualised but helped formalise,' Maphutha said. The Bapedi people of Sekhukhune say they feel betrayed at the non-communication, especially from Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers Maphutha claimed that despite a fully-funded feasibility study being completed, there has been inexplicable silence from Maluleke's office. He also alleged that Maluleke has covertly worked to divert the project from Sekhukhune to Giyani, alleged to be his hometown. The Public Protector's office has confirmed receipt of the complaint and will investigate the matter. The MOU was signed in May 2021 and aimed to establish a campus in Sekhukhune, accommodating students interested in mining-related studies, given the area's location in the platinum belt. The old Sekhukhune Teachers Training College was identified as the site for the campus. However, months later, TUT announced plans to construct a campus in Giyani instead. TUT, in a statement this week, acknowledged the MoU and commissioned the visibility study. 'Concluding a thorough process of consultation and due diligence, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Bapedi Kingdom on 20 May 2021. 'TUT is determined to continue conducting this historic partnership – aimed at building a knowledge-sharing platform – with dignity and respect for the Royal Bapedi Kingdom, and in line with the MoU,' the statement read. [email protected]
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Concerns raised over alleged 'sabotage' of TUT Sekhukhune University project
The Bapedi people of Sekhukhune say they feel betrayed at the non-communication, especially from the Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers Founder of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Sekhukhune University Establishment Project, has raised serious concerns over the alleged sabotage of the proposed University of Mining and Agriculture in Sekhukhune, Limpopo. The organisation has expressed outrage over backtracking on their promise to build a TUT campus at the Bapedi Kingdom of Sekhukhune that was meant to have broken ground about four years ago. Despite a signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between TUT and the Bapedi Kingdom in May 2021, the process has yet to get underway. The delay has sparked outrage among the Bapedi nation and the establishment project, who are saying they feel betrayed at the non-communication and the delay, especially after President Cyril Ramaphosa endorsed the project in his visit during the burial of the late King Victoria Thulare III in the same year. In an open letter released this week to the TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, Maphutha accused Maluleke of deliberately sabotaging the project. Maphutha claimed that despite a fully-funded feasibility study being completed, there has been inexplicable silence from Maluleke's office. He also alleged that Maluleke has covertly worked to divert the project from Sekhukhune to Giyani, his hometown. "What is most alarming is growing evidence that, despite publicly denying any misconduct, you have covertly worked to divert this project from Sekhukhune to Giyani — your hometown," Maphutha said. Maphutha has demanded that Maluleke provide transparency on the project's progress. He called for a public debate or open dialogue to address the facts and ensure transparency. "We demand a public debate or open dialogue to address the facts and ensure transparency," Maphutha said. Maphutha also expressed concerns over Maluleke's public misrepresentation of the facts. He claimed that Maluleke has claimed that the MOU is silent on the Sekhukhune project, which is patently false. "Your public misrepresentation of the facts is equally troubling. You have claimed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is silent on the Sekhukhune project — a claim that is patently false," Maphutha said. Maphutha has made several demands, including a public debate or open dialogue to address the facts and ensure transparency, a comprehensive progress report on the University of Mining and Agriculture in Sekhukhune, a parliamentary inquiry or independent investigation into the possible redirection of this project and an immediate and public retraction of all 'misleading' claims made regarding the steering committee and the contents of the MOU. Maphutha emphasised that the community will not be silenced and will pursue legal action if necessary. "We will not be silenced. We will not stand idle while a project of national importance is quietly stolen. The truth must come out and those responsible must be held accountable. Legal action will be pursued where necessary," Maphutha said. TUT spokesperson Tshisikhawe had yet to answer questions about whether the university was aware of the open letter. Speaking to the publication, Maphutha confirmed that Maluleke had not answered his letter. 'He has not responded yet and we are not surprised that he has not responded, he has not responded since the day we have been requesting for his attention after we realised that he had moved the project,' Maphutha said. Maphutha also confirmed that his organisation had reported the matter to the Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka and had sought legal advice from their lawyers on the matter. [email protected]
