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Installation of LED lighting, safety reinforcements, new ceilings, painting, and plumbing accompany finalised refurbishments estimated close to R10-Million at Walter Sisulu University’s Butterworth Campus student village, which houses over 500 students.
Following a visit to the residence by Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, Chairperson of the WSU Council, the project was accelerated as a measure to ensure students’ health and safety.
Acting Rector for the Butterworth Campus, Bulelwa Nguza-Mduba expressed her delight at the progress made by the university in ensuring the completion of the project.
“Students have a hygienic living environment, conducive to quality academic performance especially now that the teaching and learning are conducted through a hybrid model. We, as campus management, are delighted that student residences have been renovated to improve their status and ensure habitability,” said Nguza-Mduba.
Usually, repairs are carried out at the end of every academic year when students have vacated residences. The revitalisation of the student village was unfortunately put on hold in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Facilities Manager at the Ibika Campus, Sisa Mbeki, said that the university felt the need to accelerate the renovation process despite challenges posed by covid-19, which included construction staff shortages.
“The university is in a crucial space, which is developing the minds of young adults, and for them to prosper and become responsible human beings, they need to live and learn in a conducive and safe environment,” said Mbeki.
Before the revamp, student leadership had expressed concerns regarding the state of the student village, including broken doors, debilitated ceilings, and plumbing problems.
SRC president, Phelo Mathentamo said that students were pleased to be back at the residence, after having to share rooms with other students at the on-campus residences.
“As the SRC we were very involved during the process because we came weekly to assess the progress as life at the main campus residences had become unbearable,” said Mathentamo.
Students were officially moved into the refurbished student village on 6 July 2021.
- Yanga Ziwele
