The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will visit the Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct (IEIP) as part of his stakeholder engagement programme in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.
The purpose of my visit to resuscitate and expand the Imbali Education Precinct project which was developed in 2014 as a Ministerial project.
“The Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct is a pilot project that explores an alternative modality of education delivery,” said Minister Nzimande.
The project comprises of an interconnected set of institutions, which are able to collaborate and support each other in the delivery of their individual mandates, including through establishing strong relationships with the communities in which they are located, and with industry and civil society organisations in their locality.
Minister Nzimande said that it was decided that the education precinct model would be piloted in Imbali, a township within the greater Edendale district in Pietermaritzburg. The specific collection of education institutions in this locality provides the perfect location for an education precinct model to be implemented and piloted.
“Imbali is eminently suitable for this precinct development as it already has in close proximity institutions which cover the full range of education tiers, including an early learning facility, a variety of school and post school facilities, including a university campus, a TVET campus and other related amenities,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said due to the new landscape of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, he would like to expand the mandate of the precinct to include Innovation and Cultural programmes.
Minister Nzimande will also tour the DUT Construction site of the Engineering Unit, Agri Hub and Entrepreneurship Unit .
Members of the media are invited to join the Minister Nzimande, KZN MEC for Housing and Public works, Mr Jomo Sibiya, Vice Chancellor and Principal of Durban University Technology, Prof Thandwa Mthembu, Midlands Campus Director, Dr Joe Molete, Ward Councillor Ndawonde and the Umsunduzi Municipal Manager, Mr Khathide.
The event will take place as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 20 April 2021
Time: 14h00- 16h00
Venue: Durban University of Technology Indumiso Campus, Unit 1, 3201 JF Sithole Road Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
Members of the media requested to confirm their attendance with Lehlohololo Mphuthi at 0619859474 or with Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 037 8859
