Unisa is unique in Africa’s higher education environment in more ways than one. Apart from being the largest university on the continent and one that attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa, Unisa’s building architecture at its Muckleneuk Campus is much to boast on.
And while the unique design and character of these buildings are a concrete reflection of the university’s growth, development and vision, it is the naming of these buildings that have also ensured Unisa continues in its vision to become the African university in the service of humanity.
 Kgorong Building |
 Theo Van Wijk Building |
The new addition to Unisa, Kgorong, was officially named in September 2010. Situated at the foot of the hill of Muckleneuk campus, the building expresses Unisa’s vision of africanising the institution and reorienting it towards its people. The name Kgorong means entrance or gateway and it also refers to a meeting place for the community to discuss important matters. As the gateway to the university the building serves as a hub where everyone from staff, students and visitors are met and welcomed.
The Theo van Wijk Building is named after Prof Theo van Wijk, who served as a Unisa Vice-Chancellor and Principal from 1972 until 1988. Located in this building, amongst others, are Unisa’s prominent conference and concert venues, Senate hall, ZK Matthews hall and the Miriam Makeba concert hall.
Unisa’s administration building bears the name of OR Tambo, after OR (Oliver Reginald) Tambo, South African anti-apartheid politician, struggle hero, teacher and a central figure in the African National Congress (ANC). Tambo, alongside Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, founded the ANC Youth League in 1943. He died at age 75 on 24 April 1993. Administrative related functions such as Finance, Human Resources and Legal Services are housed at the OR Tambo Building.
The AJH van der Walt building, which is home to amongst others, Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Institute and the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) is named after Prof AJH van der Walt, Dean of the then Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at Unisa and later Vice-Chancellor and Principal from 1953 to 1956. Prof van der Walt was asked to investigate the possibility of postal or correspondence tuition for non-residential students in 1946. On 15 February 1946, the Division of External Studies was established and Unisa gave its first steps as a pioneer of tertiary distance education.
Cas Van Vuuren Building
Prof Cas van Vuuren served as Unisa’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal from 1989 to 1993. One of the most memorable moments during his term was the purchasing of a Rieger Concert Organ for what is today known as the ZK Matthews Hall. Every Rieger organ is designed, built and voiced specifically for the room it occupies.
The Samuel Pauw Building is home to the Unisa Library, one of the largest academic libraries in Africa and one of the best-endowed, with information resources, information technology and expert staff. The building is named after Prof Samuel Pauw, who served as Unisa’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal from 1956 until 1972.
RR Maluleka Technical Building is the old Technical Services Building which was named after a man who is relatively unknown beyond the boundaries of the Muckleneuk Campus, Resenate Ralph (RR) Maluleka. He worked for 11 years as an employee of Unisa and died at age 31 when he was tragically killed during an incident at Unisa that aroused strong feelings on both sides of the racial divide. For many people, the RR Maluleka Building serves as a reminder of what so many of South Africa’s leaders have urged, that the greatest transformation of all is the transformation that leads to peace. Rather than referring only to oppression and anger, this building stands for peace and regeneration.
The Sunnyside Campus in Pretoria is the main area of student activity at Unisa. Two buildings on this campus pay tribute to great sons of the African soil.
Es’kia Mphahlele Registration Hall
The Es’kia Mphahlele Registration Hall was officially opened on 22 September 2009 and was custom-designed to improve the university’s registration process. It is named after Prof Es’kia Mphahlele, one of the most prolific authors on themes of education, literature, culture and social commentary in South Africa and African continent. Even after his death on 27 October 2008, tribute was paid to his efforts by way of numerous national and international awards.
Unisa made another significant contribution in honouring South African heroes when it officially opened the Enoch Sontonga Conference Complex on 26 October 2009. Sontonga, who died at the age of 32 in 1905, will forever be cherished as composer of South Africa’s national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. The building, which dates back to the turn of the century, was refurbished and is used for music concerts and similar events.
By choosing to name buildings with its history and future in mind, Unisa aims to reflect the rich and sophisticated character of Africa as we know it today, thus creating a university that is truly African in all its aspects. Over the years these buildings with their transformative names and dominant horizontal lines have become synonymous with Unisa and its identity as South Africa’s biggest university offering open distance education.
