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Gauteng steps in to help solve student lodgings shortage

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Mowbray Campus Picture Credit: Facebook
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Mowbray Campus Picture Credit: Facebook

The Gauteng provincial government has jumped in to help with the shortage of student accommodation in the province.

On Thursday‚ Gauteng MEC of Infrastructure Development Jacob Mamabolo signed a declaration of intent with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)‚ which he believes will usher a new era in student housing in the province.

“This agreement is the first step towards using the province’s R31-billion immovable asset register towards assisting higher education in addressing its massive infrastructure requirements. Through this first of its kind agreement Gauteng’s Infrastructure Development Department (GDID) will donate land parcels to universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions‚ including the University of South Africa (Unisa)‚ Pretoria University‚ University of Johannesburg and the Vaal University of Technology amongst others‚ as part of helping the DHET address its infrastructure needs‚” GDID said in the statement.

Mamabolo said his department would come up with concrete plans in three months to make sure the provincial government lives up to its commitment on helping with student accommodation.

“We cannot afford to continue to deliver infrastructure only to be destroyed by non-caring elements of our society. We therefore plead with higher education‚ as we do with other sectors‚ that they should display the commitment by signing the I Care We Care pledge‚” he said.

The declaration was signed following discussions with universities‚ through the GDID’s Round Table forum‚ and in consultation with the DHET‚ organised by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.

In his effort to address the problem‚ Nzimande roped in 100 influential individuals from private and public institutions‚ including banks and property developers‚ to discuss the shortage of student accommodation.

He said 50 institutions‚ with more than 200 campuses across the country‚ house just over 1% of their 700 000 students.

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