NLDTF Luncheon

15 June 2010

Durban University of Technology hosted members of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund at a private luncheon, on 08 June 2010, in honour of the organizations R30.5 million sponsorship towards the university’s Heritage Projects. The event was held at the Ritson Campus Hotel School and was also attended by DUT staff and Council members, engineers and architects. The funding will be used by the City Campus Restoration Project, which is concerned with preserving the architectural heritage of the 100 year old building, and the Research of Currie’s and Surrounds (ROCS) project. Ms. Marjorie Letoaba (Sector Manager for Arts and Sports Funding) represented the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund at the thanksgiving event. DUT Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Nqabomzi Gawe said: “The University is proud to be the recipients of this considerable financial sponsorship. The financing of the heritage projects will ensure that the restoration project is completed timeously and that the academic programme will continue as scheduled. As Durban residents, staff and students of DUT, we are proud that the historic essence and architectural design could be preserved and celebrated. We are grateful to the NLDTF for their generosity and their commitment to education in South Africa. The funding towards sponsorship for the ROCS project will assist in honing and nurturing skills of young researchers, postgraduate students and a cohort of academics. We envisage that the refurbishment of City campus will be complete by the beginning of September this year.” Physical Planning HOD and ROCS researcher, Len Rosenberg said the ROCS projects in partnership with South African History Online (SAHO) began five years ago with the intention to document the historical activities of Curries Fountain.  He said: “The history of Currie’s Fountain is part of a wider context of the people, places, spaces and events around it.  Currie’s was part of a neighbourhood which was made up of Beatrice Street, Grey Street, the market, Wills Road, Warwick Triangle and the Mansfield area.  This area comprised the “non-white” town, affectionately known as Currie’s. It was so well known, with such a long history that it has become the pivot and catalyst around which the interrelated spatial history of the precinct and its people can be told and integrated.”  In his presentation, on the historical political and sporting activities associated with the venue, Rosenberg detailed the different phases in the renovation of City Campus and how the landscape of Durban has changed over the last centenary due to socio-economic and political changes. National Lottery Board member, Professor Govan Reddy said since the NLDTF was established in 2000, it has donated over R11 billion to more than 13000 beneficiaries. The NLDTF funding category is currently divided into three areas, National Heritage, Arts and Culture and Sports and Recreation. However, the board has made a proposal to add Education, Crime Prevention and Health as additional funding categories for future sponsorships and donations.    Pictured from left: Prof Nqabomzi Gawe (Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal), Ms. Marjorie Letoaba (Sector Manager for Arts and Sports Funding at the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund) and Prof Reddy (National Lottery Board member) - Dumile Mbatha

 

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