Ntabankulu Local Municipality Mayor, Tsileng Sobuthongo, officially laid the first brick for the new Agricultural College Campus on 20 November 2025. The ceremony marked the start of a long-awaited project first initiated during engagements between the Mayor and former Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande in August 2021.
What Happened
The brick-laying event signalled the formal launch of construction for phase one of the college. Government has allocated R102 million for this phase, which is scheduled for completion in May 2026.
The campus will serve as a training hub for young people and emerging farmers while also supporting hands-on learning through crop, dairy, and beef production.
Official Response
Mayor Sobuthongo said the project represents a major breakthrough for local development.
“This college is more than buildings. It is an investment in skills, food production, and long-term economic progress for our community,” she noted.
She added that the facility will create new jobs during construction and later through academic and agricultural activities.
Community Impact
The college is expected to stimulate economic activity, strengthen local farming, and open opportunities for youth seeking careers in agriculture. Residents expressed optimism, stating that the project brings hope for employment and improved food security.
Once fully operational, the institution will position Ntabankulu as a regional centre for agricultural training and agro-processing.
