A new mindset glimmers with the signing of the historic Town and Gown Agreement between the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) and the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (SPLM) in Kimberley last week.
The Diamond City, the capital of the biggest province in the country, has always been associated with mining. Sometimes even, through the urbanised eye, Kimberley is seen as a mere dusty mining town with a history built on the hardships that followed the initial diamond rush more than 150 years ago.
At the signing of the agreement on Friday (13/08) Prof. Andrew Crouch, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the SPU, said the university and its students added to the cosmopolitan nature of the city. Rarely before had the city been described as being of a “cosmopolitan nature’.
But counting the residents from countries all over the world who made Kimberley – whether decades ago or recently – their choice, it is a term to dwell on. It is said that cosmopolitan cities have an unlimited social potential for networking, while urban life offers a chance to broaden professional contacts and personal relationships. Such cities have, amongst others, major institutions with best services, and are convenient and comforting.
The design of the SPU’s modern, award-winning buildings adds sparkle to the Diamond City.
But thinking of the city’s overwhelming infrastructure problems, it is hard to associate such shining concepts with Kimberley.
The Executive Mayor of the SPLM, Patrick Mabilo, admits to “serious service delivery challenges’, but says the municipality is “dealing with it’. The SPLM cannot win the battle alone, he adds.
Crouch says the SPU, celebrating its eighth birthday on Sunday 22/08, is becoming one of the largest employers and landowners in Kimberley, and a tremendous growth in the number of students is foreseen.
With the signing, the SPU shows its commitment to be of value to the capital and the province.
Now it is time for the municipality to drop lip service and urgently turn to thoroughly planned maintenance to get the city out of the hole.
This editorial appeared in the Noordkaap Bulletin on 19 August 2021.