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The ultimate vision of repositioning and re-orientating the Taung Agricultural College as a Centre of Excellence in Irrigation Technology came to fruition on Thursday, 10 April 2014, as the college received a donation of R10 million from Haldor Topsoe, a Research, Engineering and Technology company from Denmark. The donation is earmarked for the development of the College.

The donation handing over ceremony which was held at the college hall was attended by amongst others, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, the Ambassador of Denmark to South Africa Mr Rene Dinesen, the Minister of Home Affairs Ms Naledi Pandor, the Premier of the North West province Ms Thandi Modise, the NW MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism Ms Motlalepule Rosho, MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ms Desbo Mohono and the Managing Director of Haldor Topsoe Mr Helge Rosenberg.

The donation is viewed as a tangible outcome of the working visit that the Deputy President undertook to Denmark in 2011 where he met with the late Dr Haldor Topsoe, the founder and former chairperson of Haldor Topsoe company, who pledged to support a project of the Deputy President’s choice, which has prospects for growth, sustainability and potential to contribute meaningfully in the fight against hunger.  

The Deputy President who had during the same year visited Greater Taung Local Municipality as part of the War on Poverty Programme, chose the Taung Agricultural College as the fitting recipient of this donation; this in view of the college’s feasible relevance in the fight against hunger and its envisaged transformation of becoming a unique Centre of Excellence in Irrigation Technology in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy President commended the college for its achievements thus far, saying the successes of this institution must favourably benefit the community at large. “As the South African government”, said Mr Motlanthe, “we are sincerely humbled by Haldor Topsoe Company’s gesture, and we are confident that this donation will be used for a good cause.”

The Managing Director for Haldor Topsoe, Mr Helge Rosenberg, said his company is pleased to have supported a college that has a rich history and potential to grow even bigger than what is anticipated. “Our interest is more on ensuring that the college is empowered to equip the poor people with agricultural training and knowledge, thus helping them to produce food for themselves,” said Mr Rosenberg.

According to the North West MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Desbo Mohono, this donation will enable the college to implement the prioritised activities which comprise the purchasing of comprehensive irrigation technology and infrastructure, erection of greenhouse and hydroponics production units, mobile small scale food security training unit, and re-orientation of the college personnel.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will over a period of three years, work closely with the Haldor Topsoe company in ensuring that the goal of repositioning and re-orientating the college through these key pillars is attained, thus paving way for the Taung Agricultural College to be the only Centre of Excellence in Irrigation Technology in the country.

The college which was re-opened in 2012, was accredited by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) to offer a three year Diploma in Agriculture with Irrigation as a specialisation from the 2013 academic year.