Latest news with #TinyikoMaluleke
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Sekhukhune community demands action on TUT campus project amid escalating tensions
Bapedi Nation Prime Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi says negotiations are ongoing. Image: Phill Magakoe / Archive The controversy surrounding the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Sekhukhune campus has reached a boiling point, with the ANC in Sekhukhune threatening to take to the streets if the promised university campus is not built soon. The dispute centers around allegations that TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke diverted the project from Sekhukhune to Giyani, sparking outrage among the local community. In 2021, TUT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Sekhukhune Royal Kingdom to establish a campus in the area, focusing on mining and agriculture. However, nearly five years later, the project remains stalled, with the community accusing Maluleke of hijacking the initiative and redirecting it to Giyani, allegedly his hometown. This alleged sabotage has led to widespread frustration and feelings of betrayal among the Bapedi nation of Sekhukhune in Limpopo. 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 ✕ Ad loading ANC Sekhukhune Regional Secretary Tala Mathope warned that if the university campus is not built soon, the community will take to the streets in protest if their demands are not met. "Build us the university campus that was promised or we will take to the streets," Mathope demanded. He emphasised that the community believes the project has been hijacked and that someone somewhere has misdirected it to Giyani. "We are not saying the Giyani university project should stop... We are saying that somebody, somewhere has misdirected the project that was supposed to come to Sekhukhune to Giyani. It was hijacked. This is an emotional issue," Mathope said. He appealed to the university, Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba, and the Ministry of Higher Education under the newly appointed minister Buti Manamela to act appropriately, or face street protests. New TUT vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke is being taken to court over TUT Sekhukhune campus delays. Image: Supplied 'We have taken offense that five years later there has still not been any project was at an advanced stage and it suddenly stopped and the Giyani one started…We also want to know who is frustrating us," Mathope asked. 'Build us the university campus that was promised,' Mathope said. Newly-appointed Bapedi Nation Prime Minister Ngoako Ramathlodi weighed in with a more cautious approach to the matter saying the kingdom has been in talks with the university. 'We are aware that TUT commissioned a study to create a technical university given the minerals study was concluded and an MOU is to be implemented. 'This happened during the late King Thulare's funeral [where] even the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) announced that there would be a university in Sekhukhune. 'We have been in talks with the university…Protocols should be followed properly. We are engaging the university, then the education sector and maybe the president as a last resort. We have already raised the issue with the premier,' the former Limpopo premier said. Bapedi Kingdom head of education, William Maphutha, has taken legal action against TUT, claiming that the university project was stolen by a sophisticated syndicate led by Maluleke. Maphutha confirmed that the community is mobilising to march to the Ministry of Higher Education in protest. "The legal process has started, our lawyers are busy finalizing documents. We have a strong, watertight case and proof that the Sekhukhune TUT University project was stolen," Maphutha said. When the department was contacted they redirected inquiries to TUT, the institution's spokesperson, Phaphama Tshisikhawe, who did not respond to the questions she received.
Zawya
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
President Ramaphosa appoints chairs, deputy chairs and secretary of Eminent Persons Group
Following the inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday, 11 July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated the following persons to lead and coordinate the group: Co-Chairs: Prof Tinyiko Maluleke Mr Roelf Meyer Deputy Chairs: Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko Mr Siyabulela Xuza Secretary: Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa President Ramaphosa said: 'I am grateful to each of them for agreeing to take on this responsibility and to contribute towards the effective functioning of the Eminent Persons Group.' The President established the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to guide and champion the National Dialogue. The EPG consists of prominent individuals in society with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building. The Eminent Persons are drawn from across the country and from many fields of endeavour in our public life. The EPG is supported by the National Dialogue Preparatory Task, which is made up of representatives of a number of foundations, civil society organisations and The Presidency. The Preparatory Task Team is responsible for the practical arrangements of the National Dialogue until a representative Steering Committee has been established. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Makuleke Day marks 21 years of land return
LIMPOPO – The annual Makuleke Day held recently at the Makuleke Royal Palace near Malamulele, just outside the Pafuri Gate of the Kruger National Park (KNP), was a vibrant celebration of tradition, heritage, and community success. Dressed in colourful traditional attire, attendees enjoyed energetic music and dance performances throughout the day. But beyond the festivities, the event marked a significant milestone for the Makuleke people: 31 years of democracy and 21 years since the restitution of their ancestral land. The day was graced by prominent guests, including renowned musician Dr Thomas Chauke, University of Pretoria Chancellor Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, and respected traditional leaders such as Hosi Nhlaneki and Hosi Xigamani. Ndabezitha (Chief) Humphrey Mugakula expressed pride in his community's journey, noting that reclaiming their land has allowed them to grow and thrive. 'We are celebrating democracy with dignity because we have our land back, and we are benefitting from it,' he said. The Makuleke community was forcibly removed from their land in 1969 by the apartheid regime and scattered across regions, including Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In 1995, following the implementation of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, they submitted a land claim, which was approved in 2004. Instead of accepting financial compensation, the Makuleke Traditional Council chose to reclaim their 27 000ha, a decision that has since paid off. Despite offers of millions from Australian and American mining companies, the council opted to preserve the land's rich biodiversity and cultural value. Today, they are in a 50-year co-management partnership with Sanparks, overseeing conservation efforts in the Pafuri section of the KNP. The community has built three eco-tourism lodges, created local employment for tour guides, and established environmental schools. The region, known for its iconic baobab trees, sits at the tri-border of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Through various development initiatives, including a successful banana plantation supplying major South African retailers, the Makuleke have created over 100 jobs for residents. They also received a R6.4m grant, which doubled in value within just three years thanks to effective investment and management. Chief Mugakula paid tribute to Sharon Haussmann, a supporter of the Makuleke cause, who passed away recently. A moment of silence was observed in her honour. Sanparks managing executive Oscar Mthimkhulu highlighted the partnership with the community, and Contralesa president Kgosi Lamech Mokwena and Dr Joe Maswanganyi congratulated the leadership for developing the community to its current state. The celebration concluded with a lively musical concert featuring Dr Chauke, Shongi, DJ Mfhudhisi, and other local artists, leaving the community uplifted and inspired by their shared achievements. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Faces and Phases of Resilience' gives a frank account of SA past and present
Author Tinyiko Maluleke makes a valid case about our country during the dark apartheid years, and of the difficulties of misgovernance we continue to fac In Faces and Phases of Resilience: A Memoir of a Special Kind, Tinyiko Maluleke writes lucidly, turning words in every page into narrative jewels of beauty and precision which evoke pathos that sinks one's heart into dark moments of sadness — and anger — to have been born in apartheid South Africa, even as there may also be ample evidence that the new democratic land knows no better. Making such allusions as the opening paragraph of the book paints, is no exaggeration. The writer's words are a reflection of what Mzansi has become, missing opportunities of greatness, with its leaders obsessed with ill-gotten wealth, instead of focusing on empowering people through leadership excellence. The insinuations of poor governance are well thought through, as they are well canvassed — and these, to the credit of the author, are supported by valid and cogent arguments and observations. So even if we want to complain that the author has gone overboard, there is very little ammunition to rebut his points and observations about the past and present. The assertions are borne out by hard irrefutable historical facts. The insatiable appetite for graft and corruption continues to manifest in all tiers of government even as there may be discernible green shoots that could cause us to justly celebrate the new constitutional democratic order. As it should be, Maluleke devotes a few pages to pique the reader's interest with background information. He spells out how it all started, and who the motivator for developing a palate for letter writing was, stating the honour belonged to his 'illiterate grandmother'. There will be 49 chapters to be read to finish the biographical essays. There is a wide range of personalities, some iconic and famous, and some lesser known, but all contributing to creating a great compendium of story-telling, illuminating his biographical characters with great dexterity and skill. I note that all the characters matter a great deal to him, for if they did not, they would not have formed part of his 'memoir of a special kind' told as honestly as he does. Among all the characters Maluleke has chosen to amplify his narrative, prominent figures such as Michelle Obama, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Imtiaz Sooliman, Thabo Mbeki, Sam Nzima, Hugh Masekela, Andries Tatane and last, but not least, himself, add to the colour of the book. In a chapter talking about himself, he imagines his imminent death, mostly because of the intensifying xenophobic streak that has invaded the country. If your skin tone is extraordinarily dark, and your language is described by the 'purists' as out of line with what is generally accepted as a local dialect, you might suffer the ignominy of death, even a cruel death by necklace — an extrajudicial summary execution method reserved for 'suspected apartheid informers'. This practice was rife in the 1980s, less now. Its targets were routinely set alight, with a petrol-drenched tyre placed and lit around their necks, to die excruciatingly painful deaths because they were thought of or seen as apartheid collaborators. How can South Africa save itself from this xenophobic scourge, deepened by the government's inability to create an environment in which all people of this country lead peaceful lives. Maluleke, in his chapter, The Day I Die , alludes to this reality — its possibility. He writes: 'Will I make a last-ditch effort to escape — dashing through the crowd like a mad bull only to invite a rain of kicks, stabs and beatings? Eventually engulfed in the vibrant flames, will I do the Ernesto Nhamuave dance — the death dance of the Mozambican man who was burnt to death in May 2008? This, I think, represents, and maybe a metaphor, for the violent country we have inherited, where human life, and its dignity, is sacrificed at the altar of racial prejudice. What is the solution? How does the country looking down the precipice, on the brink of political disaster, save itself from abomination? Maluleke, in his own imaginary think-tank institutionalised mindset, chooses the person of Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers, as a typical example of a leader who can save South Africa from political implosion. He writes that the country's national dreams are evaporating, with its leaders 'sitting on the heap of our unconsummated development goals, rummaging through the dumping sites where our decaying and derelict national hopes lie abandoned', and wondering what value to attach to a free land with one of the best Constitution in the world, yet unable to yield the fruits Mandela envisaged — the fruits of functional governance envisaged in the country's Constitution. Maluleke envisages 'a deep leadership crisis' accompanied by '[d]ysfunctional and frequently collapsing coalition governments, producing a high turnover of mayors, with little improvement in service delivery'. He adds: 'South Africans are slowly realising that we need to give up the search for the next Mandela, both because s/he does not exist and, in fact, maybe we don't need such a leader at this time.' If we don't need a Mandela, what do we need? Maluleke suggests we need a Sooliman-type of leadership, arguing that 'political leadership has been greatly overrated … so have political parties', adding 'we should first go to civil society and to the NGO sector before we go to the politicians'. 'We need a system that makes political parties optional and dispensable', and in his cabinet, Sooliman would need to include academics and thought leaders such as Nomalanga Mkhize, Tshilidzi Marwala, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Gloria Serobe and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi. Next, what are we going to make of the chapter titled, The Country We Are Losing? He writes that 'the few remaining consciences' have been 'seduced by the sweet aroma of state power and its seemingly bottomless war chest …' When the sloppy presidential tenure of Jacob Zuma ended — a presidency that should not have been — President Cyril Ramaphosa ascended power. Maluleke writes about the country that had been shortchanged by Zuma's presidency, suggesting that the Thuma Mina theme would strike a chord with the populace, and would inspire the resurgence of the ANC from its political leadership slumber. In the end, whether South Africa will see light and be associated with freedom and all that accrues from it, the author doubts it. Instead, he sees 'the gangrene of malfeasance spreading rapidly in the country's body politic, deadening the senses, numbing the pain, blunting the few remaining consciences'. Yet Maluleke's book is one of hope and restoration, struggling to come to terms with the people's aspirations of a better life. Real life stories, told in an irrepressible style, are gems spiced generously with politics, and some are reflective of what the future holds for South Africans. Some essays, though light-hearted, are sorrowful. They serve as a gentle critique, a reminder that the value of life could be better protected if leaders in all tiers of government serve the people who elected them to power rather than their own self-serving interests. One hopes highly paid government officials buy the book so that they know what ought to happen in the country to make our democracy succeed. It is also a good read . Faces and Phases of Resilience: A Memoir of a Special Kind by Tinyiko Maluleke is available from all major bookstores and online marketplaces. Jo-Mangaliso Mdhlela is an independent journalist, social justice activist, former trade unionist, and an Anglican priest.
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
TUT Vice-Chancellor could face lawsuit from Bapedi Kingdom over Sekhukhune campus dispute
The Bapedi people of Sekhukhune have threatened to take the Vice-Chancellor of Tshwane University of Technology, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke to court. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers The controversy surrounding the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Sekhukhune campus has taken a dramatic turn, with the institution's Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, being dragged to court. The lawsuit follows Maluleke's alleged ignoring of a letter of demand from the Bapedi Kingdom to settle the matter out of court three weeks ago. The Kingdom had given Maluleke 14 days to respond to their letter regarding the establishment of a campus in Sekhukhune, or face a legal challenge, and claim Maluleke ignored it. The Bapedi Kingdom and TUT Sekhukhune campus coordinator, William Maphutha has made claims that TUT has failed to honour its commitment to establish a campus in Sekhukhune. The dispute between the Bapedi Kingdom and TUT centres around the university's decision to establish a campus in Giyani, which the kingdom views as a violation of the duty of good faith. Maphuta expressed frustration over the lack of response from Maluleke saying according to the brief he received from their lawyers, Maluleke had not responded to their demands. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Maphuta further revealed that they have written to both the Minister of Higher Education and the Portfolio Committee Chairperson, but there has been no response. Maphutha also claimed that that efforts to establish a university in Sekhukhune, had been sabotaged. He says he pioneered the project and accuses TUT of hijacking it without proper consultation. "We are law-abiding citizens, we trust and believe that the courts will come to our rescue," Maphuta said. "The level of arrogance from the management of the university is appalling, let alone the silent treatment from Prof Tinyiko Maluleke,' he said. Both Maluleke and TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe did not answer questions about whether they would challenge the court action. The only correspondence from Maluleke was a leaked letter he had written to the Bapedi Kingdom on May 16, appreciating the hospitality they received while visiting the kingdom during a meeting the day before. 'It was an honour and a privilege for our delegation to connect with the Bapedi Kingdom and to discuss opportunities for mutual growth… TUT is eager to continue this journey with the Bapedi Kingdom. We look forward to future engagements,' Maluleke wrote.
