Yesterday, 11 April 2019, the City of Johannesburg hosted a workshop with various institutions of higher learning as well as their various student representatives to discuss how the City can assist in the provision of affordable, quality student accommodation.
While student accommodation is not the competency of the City, we recognise that there is a growing demand for safe and affordable options for students throughout the City. In light of the demand, the City is committed to playing a proactive role in addressing these challenges.
To this end, the City is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of South Africa (UNISA) and various TVET Colleges. The MoU identifies key areas of collaboration between the City and universities represented, with student accommodation identified as a primary concern.
The workshop, attended by representatives from the University of Johannesburg, University of Witwatersrand, Central Johannesburg Technical College, UNISA and the City gave the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) an opportunity to present the progress made by the City to date.
Some of these initiatives include:
• Since the launch of the Inner City Revitalisation Programme in October 2017, 154 City-owned properties have been released by Council for mixed-use development by the private sector. A portion of these properties will be earmarked for development for student accommodation;
• JOSHCO is completing the ‘Nederburg Building Project’, which is the first building to be used for student accommodation. Targeted for completion in June this year, it will provide 120 beds for students;
• In addition to this, an additional 3 projects are in the pipeline with JOSHCO, and will add an additional 1257 beds; and,
• JPC is working to identify strategic land parcels or properties located in close proximity to institutions of higher learning that could be used for the development of student accommodation.
The workshop also provided a platform for representatives from the institutions of higher learning, including students, to highlight their requirements and give input into the City’s
existing programmes. Issues raised by the institutions of higher learning included:
• The collaboration in the design of student precincts.
• Affordability of student accommodation.
• Correct profiling of students who should benefit from this project.
• Public safety for student accommodation located off campus.
• The availability and access to social amenities.
The ability of students to successfully complete their higher education courses and add to Johannesburg’s economic growth is directly influenced by the ease in which they are able to do so.
I therefore believes it is crucial to make studying as free as possible from unnecessary stressors like finding affordable accommodation. I am looking forward to further collaboration with these institutions of higher learning through the MoU.
This will undoubtedly bring the necessary change needed in order to allow students to thrive.
For media queries:
Poppy Louw
Stakeholder Manager: Office the MMC for Development Planning
poppyl@joburg.org.za
081 235 4999
Or
Chantelle Fourie-Shawe
Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor
chantellef@joburg.org.za
081 546 1014
