Thursday, December 4, 2025
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, will on Friday attend the official opening of several major infrastructure projects at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) continues to support infrastructure development at South Africa’s 26 public universities through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) programme.
Introduced in 2007/08 financial year, the IEG aims to address historical backlogs, upgrades, and refurbishment needs across the university sector.
According to the department, the programme is currently in its seventh cycle, with allocations awaiting final approval.
Across cycles 1 to 6, a total of R33.088 billion has been allocated to 24 universities through the IEG and the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI).
The University of Venda has received R1.367 billion, equivalent to 4.13% of the total IEG allocation over the six cycles.
“The university is a beneficiary of the department’s 2 earmarked grants; the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant and the Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme (SB-DP), with additional investment made through the university’s own funds,” the department explained.
The projects to be unveiled include the Faculty of Health Sciences Building, the Punda Maria Road and Bridge Project, the Main Administration Building, and the Advanced Nursing Science Simulation Building.
The Deputy Minister is expected to engage university leadership on strengthening long-term partnerships that ensures that not only UNIVEN, but all eight Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) become smart, accessible and future-ready. – SAnews.gov.za
