Govt’s revitalising of Ohlange Institute ‘is a commitment’

IN A MOVE aimed at revitalising one of South Africa’s important historic institutions, Minister of Public Works andInfrastructure Dean Macpherson has announced the establishment of a special technical construction team.

- SIPHO JACK [e-mail]

This initiative stems from his recent oversight visit to the Ohlange Institute, where he observed the unsatisfactory state of completion on a project that was intended to uplift the facility. Instead, the exercise has remained stagnant for over a decade.

Accompanied by Mntomuhle Khawula, KwaZulu-Natal’s Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Sport, Arts and Culture, the eThekwini Municipality’s mayor, Cyril Xaba, and KwaZulu-Natal National Council of Provinces (NCOP) member Mzamo Billy, Macpherson outlined the team’s mandate: to deliver a clear action plan for the project's completion within the next two months.

While attempts to upgrade the institute have been long-running, the project was formally announced by former MEC Mbali Frazer during the budget speech in April 2023.