The land identified for this project is at the Groeneweide Park extension, opposite the old crocodile park, on the corner of the R102 and York Street.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed last week Wednesday by Municipal Manager Trevor Botha and the CEO of SCC, Luvuyo Ngubelanga, at the George Council chambers.
"This MOU merely represents a willingness from both sides to enter a partnership," said George Mayor Charles Standers.
The present SCC Campus in Hibernia Street is "bursting at the seams".
"We can't keep up with the growing needs of the college and their students," said Ngubelanga.
According to Botha, the project must still be approved by council.
"There shouldn't be any problems," he said.
If all goes according to plan, the new campus will be built on 24-30ha of property, clearly visible to all who enters the town from the airport or Beach Road. The facilities will include the main administration building, student centre, lecture halls, practical training rooms and associated facilities as well as student residences and sports facilities.
"The college will be built on an incremental basis, as and when funding from the Department of Higher Education is secured. National Government will fund the development of the buildings and infrastructure for the campus, but the college has to utilise their own funds to acquire land," said Chantel Edwards-Klose, the George Municipality's media liaison officer.
"South Cape College management and their project team will shortly begin negotiations with the George Municipality."
According to Standers, the MOU is another important milestone in establishing George as the educational hub of the Garden Route.
"It has been shown globally that tertiary institutions have a highly positive impact on the economic growth potential of the cities and towns within which they are located. Grahamstown, Potchefstroom and Stellenbosch are prime examples of this."
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At the back from left are: George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha, Johan Stander (portfolio councillor for city planning, building control and land affairs), George Mayor Charles Standers and Luvuyo Ngubelanga (CEO of South Cape College in George). In front from left are: Zukiswa Zigu (chief financial officer of SCC), Daniël Maritz (deputy mayor of George), Linda Majola (George campus head), Thando Tiyo (assistant director of corporate services), Iona Kritzinger (councillor for community safety) and Tercia Terblanche (deputy CEO: academic of SCC). Photo: Michelle Pienaar
ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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