CONDITIONS FOR MOTSEPE’S E10M UNESWA DONATION

mfanukhona@times.co.sz

KWALUSENI – It’s not just a give and take. The E10 million donated to the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) by its former student, Patrice Motsepe, comes with strings attached.
The Motsepe Foundation, which is supposed to release the money to the university has reportedly asked the institution to state how it would use the money.

Impeccable sources said the foundation wanted a project proposal before the money was transferred to the university’s bank account. The project proposal or guidelines should relate to its (foundation) commitment to education, sources close to the issue confided in the Times SUNDAY.

submitted proposal

About a month ago, it has been established that UNESWA submitted the project proposal to the Motsepe Foundation. It was yet to be approved at the time this report was compiled, according to our sources.
The sources said the university and the Patrice Motsepe-led organisation were doing the right thing to have the terms of references in place as an instrument and modality to operationalise the fund.

“The Motsepe Foundation wants the money used for the intended purpose – to improve the education of emaSwati, and in this way alleviate poverty,” the source said.
‘Use money to build hostel’

Sakhile Ndzimandze, the President of the Student Representative Council of UNESWA, said her priority project would be provide more accommodation as many students were staying outside the three campuses, renting flats in insecure places.
“Part of the E10 million should build a decent hostel for students,” said Ndzimandze.
She said the money should also be used to strengthen security in the campuses; Kwaluseni, Luyengo and Mbabane.

The SRC president said there was a need to build more lectures halls as well. Dr. Salebona Simelane, the Registrar of UNESWA, referred enquiries to Professor Justice Thwala, the Vice Chancellor, because he was on leave.
Professor Thwala could only say the institution would make a statement at a later stage. 
Motsepe could not be reached for comment despite the fact that a questionnaire was sent to his personal and business email addresses, and that of his foundation.
That was done three weeks ago.

When making the pledge in October this year, Motsepe, the renowned business mogul had pointed out that UNESWA would advise his Foundation on how it was going to use the money.
That was because, he said, he had not been acquainted with the pressing needs of the university that required financing.
He extended the offer on behalf of his family’s charity organisation in the presence of His Majesty the King.

That was arguably the biggest donation from a single donor since the university was established in the 1970s.
During this year’s graduation, Motsepe, who completed his Bachelor of Arts in Law at UNESWA in 1984, spoke on behalf of outstanding academicians and politicians who were conferred with honorary doctorates for excellence in their diverse fields or disciplines.

HONOURED

The Mamelodi Sundowns president was one of those who were honoured by the university. Others were former Minister of Commerce Douglas Ntiwane and Professor Lydia Makhubu, the retired Vice Chancellor of the University of Swaziland (Eswatini).
The audience, in particular the graduands, grumbled as if to put pressure on the South African billionaire to give direction on how the money would be used. He then said the money would definitely help students, particularly the improvement of the university’s education.

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