The Executive Mayor of the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (SPLM), Mr Patrick Mabilo and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Sol Plaatje University (SPU), Professor Andrew Crouch, signed an historic Town and Gown Agreement, on Friday, 13 August 2021, for the future collaboration and engagement between the city and the University.
The event which took place in the SPU Library and Resource Centre on Central Campus, marked the first such agreement in the Northern Cape Province, between a municipal authority and an educational institution.
This was a hybrid event that included a limited number of guests present for the signing and was streamed via Facebook for SPU staff and students and the wider citizenry. The Mayor, members of the Mayoral Committee and the SPLM management team were hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and members of his Management Forum.
The Executive Mayor, Mr Mabilo, indicated that the partnership between the city and the University would generate future research to address municipal challenges. “As the local authority we cannot win the battle alone and it is through these partnerships with academia, the private sector, business, civil society, provincial and national government that we are able to address systemic challenges in order to create a conducive environment for our people to live and thrive in.”
Professor Crouch stated that SPU is committed to place the institutional goals of learning and knowledge production central to high impact, public community engagement. “Central to this is to find ways to have a meaningful attachment to the history of Kimberley and to renew its association towards building a future between city and university. One of the ways to do this is to have a long-lasting association with the city, and the diverse communities it contains.”
The establishment of a university in the city of Kimberley has resulted in significant economic and other derivative benefits for the citizens of Kimberley. In recognising this, it is appropriate that the SPLM recognises the importance of supporting the University in ways that are appropriate to the SPLM.
In recognising the value of the University, it is also appropriate to recognise the valuable role of the SPLM in creating an environment in which SPU and all its stakeholders can thrive.
The Town and Gown Agreement contains the following undertakings:
- SPU will provide human resources capacity development opportunities to SPLM.
- Considering the location of both SPU and SPLM they will enter into a shared agreement in respect of safety and security.
- SPU wants to create opportunities through the Department of Tourism in respect of events arranged by SPU, by involving SPLM and the City of Kimberley.
- SPLM will ensure that processes associated with the current infrastructure projects at SPU are afforded the required attention to ensure that requests are processed speedily.
- SPU wants to explore the opportunities for alignment to all future development in the city of Kimberley, specifically as it may relate to student entertainment.
Professor Crouch in his address about the importance of this agreement thanked the SPLM for their willingness to enter into a Town and Gown Agreement and expressed his commitment to work with the municipality to create an environment and city that students, staff and citizens could benefit from. He closed by saying “SPU wants to be the light that brings hope for the brighter future of the city of Kimberley”.
(From left to right) Back row: Mr Obakeng Plaatje, SPLM Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; Mr Qondakele Sompondo, SPU Director: Institutional Advancement; Mr Bonsile Makhamba, SPLM Councillor; Dr Sabelo Chizwina, SPU Director: Library and Information Services; Mr Themba Gomba, SPLM Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services; Mr Kenneth Samolapo, SPLM Acting CFO; Mr Boy Dhluwayo, SPLM Acting Municipal Manager; Mr George Mosimane, SPLM Manager in the Speakers Office; Mr Perdy van Wyk, SPLM Chief Whip Councillor
Middle row: Mr Phetole Sithole, SPLM Acting Executive Director: Infrastructure; Dr Moeketsi Mosia, SPU Director: Centre for Teaching, Learning and Programme Development; Ms Onica Matshedisho, SPLM Councillor and Mayoral Member Committee Finance; Ms Marina Meintjies, SPLM Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member Roads and Stormwater; Ms Felicity Kruger, SPLM Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member Intergovernmental Relations
Front row: Mr Kgosiebonya Bogacwi, SPLM Executive Director: Community and Social Services; Mrs Nomonde Tyabashe-Kesiamang, SPLM Executive Director: Strategy Economic Development and Planning; Professor Andrew Crouch, SPU Vice Chancellor and Principal; Mr Patrick Mabilo, SPLM Executive Mayor; Ms Ingrid Koopman, SPLM Councillor and Speaker; Ms Ruth Sebolecwe, SPLM Executive Director: Corporate Services
