University of Limpopo’s presence transformed the area: Businesses

Businesses around the University of Limpopo outside Polokwane in Limpopo say the institution’s presence has transformed the area.

As the university celebrates its 65th anniversary, it is being lauded for helping to grow and develop the surrounding communities.

Businessman Daniel Sekgala says their businesses are booming with new opportunities emerging.

Sekgale says, “Operating a business near the University of Limpopo campus has been incredibly beneficial. My cocktail business has thrived, thanks to the enthusiastic support of students who appreciate my unique creations. We’re deeply grateful to the university administration for granting us permission to set up shop adjacent to the campus, enabling us to tap into this vibrant market.”

Student activism

Former student, lecturer, Executive Dean, and current Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, says the university served as a fertile ground for student activism, earning it a reputation as a formidable opponent of the apartheid regime.

Mokgalong says the regime responded by deploying troops on the campus to suppress the growing resistance.

She says, “In 1974, the university again played a major role when the students decided we are going to celebrate the pro-Frelimo rally, the independence of Frelimo taking over in Mozambique, and that’s where we had students like the current President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also took part in that… Come ’76, the Soweto uprising, the university again played a major role in that upheaval day. Fast forward to the 1980, and I always tell people that the University of Limpopo played quite a role, and that’s the reason why the government of the day decided that the South African Defence Force should occupy this campus and stay on the campus to monitor and try to limit student activism.”