On 12 December 2018, a historic sod-turning event symbolised a major milestone in the ongoing development of SPU.
In 2014, the University purchased a property, close to Central Campus, later designated as South Campus; a site which is to be developed primarily for students combining sports activities, student support facilities and student residences.
In 2016, a funding application was submitted by the SPU to the National Lottery Commission (NLC) for funding to establish sporting facilities on South Campus and improve the existing field on Central Campus. The amount granted over three tranches amounts to R25,911,24.
This project significantly contributes to the National Sports, Arts and Culture Department’s priority to provide high-quality sporting facilities for all South African communities and the NC NLC will have created a wonderful legacy as SPU students return to their communities with the skills to develop disadvantaged sporting clubs.
The grant is a welcome addition to the planned SPU infrastructure growth as the grant will support the development of facilities for all the student sporting codes.
Dignitaries included, Ms Thabang Charlotte Mampane – the NLC Commissioner, Mr Mothibi Ramusi – the NLC Chief Information Officer, Dr. MA Madzivhandila – Member of the NLC Board, Mr Clive Moses – the NLC Northern Cape Provincial Manager, Prof Yunus Ballim – SPU Vice Chancellor, Sol Plaatje University representatives and members of the media.
The ceremony commenced in the University Library auditorium with a programme including an introduction by Ms Thabang Charlotte Mampane – the NLC Commissioner describing the NLC Mission, a description of the NLC imperative by Mr Mothibi – the NLC Information Officer and a moving address by Dr. MA Madzivhandila – a member of the NLC Board added further impetus to the programme. A Message of Support was received from the Northern Cape Provincial Government. The SPU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Yunus Ballim followed with a Vote of Thanks on behalf of SPU.
Thereafter, the dignitaries and guests moved to the site of the first sports field on South Campus, where the National Lotteries Commission handed over a symbolic cheque. The NLC Commissioner and the NLC ceremonial sod-turning was followed immediately by the appointed contractor’s earthmoving equipment commencing work on the site; a confirmation that this project was now truly on its way.
The NLC funding provides for state-of-the-art sports facilities which include a combination field providing for cricket, rugby and soccer, an astroturf hockey field and a series of combination hard courts providing for tennis, netball, volleyball, five-a-side, for example, on South Campus and an upgrade of the existing Central Campus Cricket field.
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) was established in 2014. Since then the university has undergone an extensive building programme with classrooms, auditoria and laboratories, student residences, student support facilities, academic and administration office being constructed to support the planned student enrolment for 8,400 students by 2028.
