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Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala has reported on government plans aimed at addressing student accommodation challenges across the country. Zikalala delivered a keynote address at the final day of the South African Union of Students’ (SAUS) Student Accommodation Indaba currently being held at the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Edgewood Campus.
Deputy Minster Zikalala said in Higher Education, student accommodation is one of the most strategic forms of social infrastructure because it directly influences student success, economic participation and long-term national development.
He said the historic Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 14 gazetted by DPWI’s entity Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) recognised educational infrastructure, including lecture rooms, laboratories, as well as student accommodation as a strategic national infrastructure priority.
“SIP 34, the Student Accommodation Programme, was formally gazetted in July 2020 in terms of the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014. The Student Accommodation Programme consists of projects funded under the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) supported by the DBSA, as well as other DHET priority pipeline projects” said Zikalala. Business GeneralHe said the programme aims to deliver around 300 000 beds across public universities and TVET Collages across the country by 2030. He said Phase one has already delivered over 12 219 beds and created approximately 3000 employment opportunities and mobilised around R3.5 billion in investment to date. Zikalala said there are currently around 4000 beds under construction while phase two is targeting on having 24 400 additional beds, supported by investment estimated at R7.2 billion. He said the SHIP Programme demonstrates the tangible potential of blended finance by mobilising public and private capital for student accommodation projects. “It shows that government grants can leverage private sector investment and that Design Build Operate Maintain (DBOM) models can improve lifecycle management and quality”, said Zikalala.
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