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Sol Plaatje Universiteit | |
 | |
| Motto | Light from Africa - For Humanity |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 2014 |
| Chairperson | Yvonne Mokgoro |
| Chancellor | Judge Steven Majiedt[1] |
| Vice-Chancellor | Prof Andrew Crouch[2] |
| Location | , , 28°44′42″S 24°45′51″E / 28.745118182373478°S 24.764276014962412°E |
| Language | English |
| Colours | Orange and Red |
| Website | www |
The Sol Plaatje University, which had provisionally been referred to as the University of the Northern Cape, opened in Kimberley, South Africa, in 2014, accommodating a modest initial intake of 135 students. The student complement is expected to increase gradually towards a target of 7 500 students by 2024. Launched in a ceremony in Kimberley on 19 September 2013,[3] it had been formally established as a public university in terms of Section 20 of the Higher Education Act of 1997, by way of Government Notice 630, dated 22 August 2013.[4] Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, observed at the launch that this “is the first new university (in South Africa) to be launched since 1994 and as such is a powerful symbol of the country’s democracy, inclusiveness, and growth. It represents a new order of African intellect, with a firm focus on innovation and excellence." Previously announcing the name for the university, on 25 July 2013, President Jacob Zuma mentioned the development of academic niche areas that did not exist elsewhere, or were under-represented, in South Africa. "Given the rich heritage of Kimberley and the Northern Cape in general," Zuma said, "it is envisaged that Sol Plaatje will specialise in heritage studies, including interconnected academic fields such as museum management, archaeology, indigenous languages, and restoration architecture."[5] Prof Andrew Crouch took over the helm on 1 April 2020 after the term of founding Vice-Chancellor, Prof Yunus Ballim came to a close.
- ^ "ConCourt Bench: Ramaphosa appoints judges Zukisa Tshiqi, Stevan Majiedt".
- ^ https://www.dfa.co.za/news/prof-andrew-crouch-now-officially-vice-chancellor-at-spu-45978970 [dead link]
- ^ Bekezela Phakathi, September 19, 2013 at 20:01 (2013-09-19). "New Sol Plaatje University marks milestone in transformation; Business Day". bdlive.co.za. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Government Notice 630, Government Gazette No36771". 23 August 2013.
- ^ "Address by the President of South Africa during the announcement of new Interim Councils and names of the New Universitiesdate=25 July 2013". Retrieved 25 Jul 2013.