Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has urged universities to allocate campus land for building student accommodation.
The Minister believes this would improve safety of accommodation and help standardise the quality of student housing.
It is our collective responsibility to create a safe and conducive environment for students. Universities must produce a labour force that drives the economy and supports a capable, ethical, and developmental state
Speaking at the launch of a new 200-bed accommodation facility at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)’s eMalahleni campus, Nkabane highlighted the importance of addressing housing shortages in higher education.
The project, funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training with R110 million and an additional R8.298 million from TUT. The new accommodation facility will house 200 female students from 2025.
The accommodation facility will be used to accommodate students from the 2025 academic year. The current building is the first phase of the project, which will accommodate 200 female students.
Nkabane called student accommodation one of the sector's most pressing challenges as it has the ability to impact student academic performance and graduate quality.
Historically disadvantaged students are the hardest hit, often unable to afford adequate housing. This affects their safety and learning conditions
Student Housing Programme to Add Thousands of Beds
TUT is part of Phase 2 of the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme. The initiative aims to create 3,500 new beds across TUT campuses between 2024 and 2027. The eMalahleni campus will benefit from 500 of these spaces.
The programme has received a combined R788.382 million from the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (R450.5 million) and the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (R337.882 million). An additional R235 million will be secured through financing from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Nkabane warned that the department would not tolerate delays or corruption in the rollout of infrastructure projects.
We will monitor these projects closely to ensure they are completed on time. Corrupt practices will be dealt with harshly. Students must also protect and value the infrastructure provided
Artisan Training Centre Expands Capacity
Nkabane also visited Nkangala Technical and Vocational Education and Training College’s Middleburg campus. The college has invested in its Top of the World Training Centre, acquired in 2015, to boost artisan training capacity.
Initially accredited for boilermaker, mechanical fitter, and electrician training, the centre has expanded to include welder, fitter and turner, and millwright qualifications. The facility can facilitate the training of 90 apprentices, 90 Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning candidates, and 400 National Certificate Vocational students.
The centre, which is aimed at contributing to the National Development Plan’s goal of producing 30,000 artisans annually, has trained over 1,300 artisans to date.
These new accreditations will significantly increase the capacity to address the demand for skilled workers.
