UJ is to blame for stampede
A DECISION by the University of Johannesburg to close the Canary Road entrance and only use the Annet Road entrance of the Bunting Road campus caused the tragic stampede that led to the death of a mother.
AFTERMATH: There is a
need for more tertiary educational opportunities in South Africa, as is clear from the University of Johannesburg stampede early this year.
PHOTO: HALDEN KROG/The TimesA report into the January 10 stampede that led to the death of Gloria Sekwena when about 8000 people jostled to enter the campus for late registration was compiled by retired Constitutional Court judge Yvonne Mokgoro, University of Free State registrar Dr Derek Swemmer and events risk consultant Rick Meyer.
Findings of the investigations indicate that "the provisions of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act of 2010 were not complied with in all respects".
One of the recommendations of the investigation was that the university not abandon, but rather reposition their late applications and admissions philosophy.
UJ vice-chancellor and principal Professor Ihron Rensburg said they would appoint an events safety manager and that no "walk-in" late applications would be allowed next year.
"A dedicated communication campaign to inform prospective students of the many opportunities for electronic applications that exist is already under way and will be intensified towards year-end.
"An operational plan has also been designed to deal with prospective students who nevertheless arrive at UJ at the beginning of 2013 in order to apply late," Rensburg said.
Last week, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande said that following the stampede, his department would implement the first phase of the central applications system.
The system will assist students looking for placements in January as well as those not accepted by their initial choice of university who seek options.
'Walk-in' late applications not allowed
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warry
You did a soldier mamazalisto fighting for your kids hope he make you proud wherever you are.Report Abuse
Pointman
Silly conclusion. Lazy students left their application to the last minute - it is their fault. And as for centralising the application process - this is just another recipe for endless frustration just like the drivers licence booking fiasco. They will issue a R300m tender for the software which will not work.Report Abuse
Ndele01
We as an African peope need to look at ourselves in the mirror.....all over South Africa everybody is striking and behaving like hooligans.We can't blame anyone anymore - we have been in chargefor 20 years and messing up day after day.Report Abuse
OmoT
I'm yet to understand what Blade's system is meant to do.Students either register on time or not. And if they do so on time, they either get accepted or not.
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Tobby
It's because the minister of education is a zulu, these people know nothing only WOMEN AND MONEY.Report Abuse
RobinH
Tobby: DOn't be ridiculous.Report Abuse
Flemza
It was a pity , but I enjoyed the graduation of my son with a B-Tech Mining Eng on Monday , it was a very nice evening and its nice to mingle with other parents , now I know my assets are in good hands, well done sonReport Abuse
zuluchick
@Tobbyi guess thats why OUR president was voted in and runs this country ne??? lol
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amaBok
Congrats Flemza I hope your kid and all other hardworking laaities enjoy a bright future.Its been said here already but its worth saying again - The fault lies with the unruly mob that tried to break in the backdoor of the system when they were too lazy, ill disciplined or just plain dof to arrive in time to enter at the front.
Its time to stop making lame excuses for bad, dangerous and destructive behaviour.
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Kabelo10
Congrats Flemza, o berekile kao godisa setswerere sa ngwana. Maybe we are in the same age i gues coz i also graudated this year (UP).UJ and TUT, please be organised in january plz
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