Speaker, the ANC welcomes the opening of two universities. Once again, the ANC has demonstrated good leadership in delivering on its commitment and promise of expansion and improving access to the higher education and training sector. This is evident in the opening of two universities, one in Mpumalanga and the other in the Northern Cape in 2014.
Definitely, this is a good story to tell, as the University of Mpumalanga officially opened its doors for learning to 160 students at its Lowveld Agricultural College campus in Mbombela. In a similar move the Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape has begun its academic classes with the enrolment of 141 students for academic programmes in education, retail management and information technology.
The ANC believes that the opening of these institutions is a significant milestone in the expansion of knowledge and skills and will contribute towards building a modern economy in these provinces. These institutions will also help to accommodate the influx of students who seem to struggle to find space at institutions of higher learning. I thank you. [Applause.]