Potential partnership with Mpumalanga
Potential partnership with Mpumalanga
Mr Mvalo presenting to the delegation from Mpumalanga and VUT
Nontobeko Zondi
On 13 September 2018, VUT Social Justice and Transformation Department hosted a delegation of four employees (Ms. M Nobela, Ms. TBB Maziko, Ms. KJ Masilela and Mr. PS Makahane) from the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport – Mpumalanga Provincial Government. This was a possible benchmarking meeting between the two entities and how best they can contribute to each other’s key performance areas. This was building on an initial meeting between the two entities in 2016.
The meeting was held at SJT Boardroom and the team was welcome by the Chairperson, Mr George Mvalo, Director of the Social Justice and transformation, who introduced all his team members. In his opening remarks he indicated that (VUT) was motivated and encouraged by their tour to Mpumalanga, (Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport that was done in 2016.), to develop strategies to make a difference in the life for student with disabilities as well as for lecturers.
Mr George Mvalo, said that “issues of disability are intolerable as there are behavioural and challenges around the issue”.
An overview presentation was made by the chairperson on the overview of VUT. He gave a presentation of the core factors and functions of the department and proudly mentioned that this year alone, the department has conferred qualifications on seven graduates with disabilities. This is a great milestone for the department since the inception of a disability unit.
A presentation on the mandate of the Social Justice and Transformation unit was done and the progress to date was evident, that VUT is looking forward to improving and reasonable accommodating both the students and lectures.
There is a new state of the art building which has just been completed and it is worth R30 million to accommodate students with disabilities.
The delegation at visiting the F’SASEC labs
After the completion of the presentations, the team was taken around the different facilities in the campus including the new state of the Art Building for students with disabilities as well as the French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre.
Delegation at the newly built state-of-the-art building for students with disabilities
A presentation on disability services for students was made, whereby VUT had 32 students with disabilities in 2017 and 44 in 2018. Students are supported through assistive devices, braille material done through analysing text books, papers and prints. Students with disabilities have and increased time by 15 minutes when they write examinations and have a private place where it is quite when they write exams. VUT has secured 17 devices for reasonable accommodation purposes.
Presentations on preparation of EEDTI awards was made.
Below are the pointers of the lessons learned through this initiative:
- Creating a database and managing it very well
- Setting functional disability forum
- Develop and effectively implement the disability policy
- Adverts must include all types of disabilities other than wheelchair user.
- Facilities are currently made accessible
- Continuously do effective awareness campaigns
- It is important to forge partnerships including private donors.
- The importance of developing publications and newsletter to communicate all special projects for EEDTI.
- Improve the stakeholder’s engagements and relations.
VUT has a programme that can assist in solving our pit toilets challenges (E-waste).