About Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture
HISTORY OF TOMPI SELEKA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Kgoshi Shikwane Maserumule Matlala of the Bakone Ba- Matlala Offered the farm Arabie in the Nebo district for this purpose. Construction on the site started in 1958 and the doors for training opened in March 1960, with Mr W.Steynberg as the first principal. For years the college was known as Arabie college of Agriculture until it was renamed after the first Minister of Agriculture of the former Lebowa (Limpopo Province), the honourable Kgoshi ZT Seleka. The college has grown and developed considerably since 1960.after starting with three lecture rooms, there are now a total of nine. A new office complex with modern factilities has been erected. The college is situated along the Olifants River in the district of Nebo. The college farm is 1,470 hectors 9ha in extent. About 100 ha under irrigation, 70ha is for field crop production and 30 ha is reserved for artificial pasture for dairy cows/herd. The grazing is divided into 24 camps.
It lies about 35km north east of marble hall and 75km south of Lebowakgomo. The nearest railway station is marble hall from where transport to the college is provided by taxis on a daily basis. In 1988 the college was transferred to the Department of Education. It was agreed by the cabinet that all training in the former Lebowa should be fall under department, the department of Education. In that year the department entered into a training agreement or contact with Pretoria Technikon. The contact included four (4) departments: Plant Production, Resource Utilisation, Animal Production and Community Development. In 1996 the college terminated the contract with Pretoria Technikon. The college is now offering courses accredited by SAQA. The courses that are currently being phased out were accredited by SERTEC. During 1999 the college embarked on a restructuring process whereby all qualification were changed so that the diplomats will be able to employ themselves and also create job opportunities.
At the beginning of 2000 the college did not take in any new students due to this restructuring process. In 2000 students were admitted for the following diploma courses namely: Plant, and Animal Production and Hospitality. Short courses in Agriculture are also offered, which are tailor- made for the needs of the community e.g. Poultry Production, Vegetable Production, Fish farming, Pig Production etc.