Majuba TVET College has recently completed the R23 Million building project of the new Central Office complex. The new building became a necessity when the previous premises could no longer cope with the rapid growth, and the resultant needs of the College. The new Central Office is of contemporary design and will establish and promote innovation going forward in the second decade of the millennium.

The Central Office building itself is a new, cutting-edge building that is sustainable or “green” in the sense that it focuses on increasing the efficiency of resources used, namely energy, water and materials. The entry statement of the building is a taste of things to come – a contemporary piece of architecture as it is the only one of its kind in Newcastle and unique amongst Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa.

The architects, BBA Architects run by Eugene Barnard and Ben Burger, were commissioned to use earthy colours and materials to design a vibrant, dynamic and functional building in the modern context which embodies technology and design.

The R23 million Office complex, covering an area of approximately 2370m, consists of staff facilities, boardrooms, storerooms, as well as a reprographics room. Lustrous screamed concrete floors greet you as you enter into the fresh and open environment. The lighting is both functional and aesthetic and the open-minded use of glass means than not only has natural light been introduced, but also great views to the horizon from almost every viewpoint. The interiors are decorated in a natural palette of beiges, browns and greys, with touches of terracotta and reds. Internally, the building is also very transparent – open plan offices for the most part.

The Central Office (i.e. Head Office of Majuba TVET College) supports all the delivery sites/campuses of the College by rendering services related to the following portfolios: Curriculum Services; Quality Management Services; TVET Management Information Systems; Financial Management Services; Asset Management and Admin Services; Human Resource Management Services; Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Services; Student Support Services; ICT Services; and Health and Safety Management Services.

The bulk of administration and management, however, is decentralized to the SIX campuses situated across the Newcastle district.

In opening this new Central Office building, Majuba TVET College once again lives up to one of its values: ensuring that innovation, creativity and responsiveness remain the underlying driving force behind all initiatives in the College.