A project to use R866 million for skills and infrastructure development, including the construction of a state-of-the-art technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college in one of South Africa’s poorest townships, has been derailed by Covid-19 and subsequently canned by Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande.
About R250 million of the money had been set aside for a college in impoverished Orange Farm, a township 45km outside Johannesburg. As the area’s first tertiary institution, it was supposed to create jobs there and address the poverty in that area.
Following the Covid-19 outbreak, Nzimande allegedly informed stakeholders that the project could not continue, ostensibly because government had to move funds around to deal with the pandemic. However, it is not clear what has become of the R866 million.
Joy as NSFAS students to receive laptops on Sunday
iol.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from iol.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
People infected with 501Y V2 variant protected from other COVID-19 variants: S African scientists - World News
sina.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sina.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tuesday 19 January 2021 - 8:05am
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for South Africa to start manufacturing its own vaccines, locally. That s according to higher education, science and innovation minister Blade Nzimande. #eNCA courtesy #DStv403
JOHANNESBURG - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlights the need for South Africa to start manufacturing vaccines, locally, according to Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande.
There is a concern that countries with more resources can procure vaccines faster, leaving others, like South Africa, behind.
The Minister says funds have been allocated to support COVID-19 research.
Rolling out a vaccine against COVID-19 is of the utmost importance in fighting the virus. Nzimande says it must start here.