The Committee on Higher Education and Training discussed issues related to student housing, including its cost, scarcity, and the role of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, instructed the department and NSFAS to submit a coordinated national baseline for student accommodation within 60 days, working in collaboration with educational institutions and student representatives.
The event focused on student housing, which is recognized as a critical element for the success of students in both universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Furthermore, the committee reviewed issues concerning housing expenditure caps, financing, and accreditation within NSFAS, as well as factors influencing the rising cost of living in the sector.
Housing Shortage
The Department of Higher Education and Training reported a shortage of student housing in higher education institutions, alongside low quality of life in many existing facilities. Student housing can be owned by the institution, leased by the institution, or privately accredited housing located on or near the campus. Data on the actual number of housing units is unavailable for each province; the main focus is on the total number of beds.
According to a 2019 survey on student housing provision, demand in the university sector was estimated at 362,381 bed spaces, while the need in the TVET sector, according to a 2018 survey, was 182,748 bed spaces.
Partnerships Yield Results
DHET stated that public partnerships with private student housing providers have yielded positive results. By 2026, the projected capacity across 26 public universities will be 525,497 bed spaces, including institution-owned, institution-leased, and privately accredited housing. Out of the total 527,497 bed spaces, 135,353 belong to universities, 68,102 are leased by universities, and 331,945 are privately accredited by universities. The Department noted that 9,907 university-owned bed spaces are unused due to incomplete renovations, reducing the total university housing from 135,353 to 125,446 in 2026.
The department also reported that by the 2027 academic year, construction is planned to be completed for an additional 3,100 student places across four institutions: Sekago Makgato Health University (SMU), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and Limpopo University (UL).
According to a survey conducted in March 2026, the capacity in public TVET colleges is 9,968 bed spaces only in institutional own residences, with a deficit in TVET-owned housing reaching 76,574 bed spaces. Among TVET respondents, 13% reported good conditions, 48% satisfactory, and 39% poor.
Immediate steps by the department and preparations for 2027 will be based on a hybrid model that will consider NSFAS protocols and be developed in consultation with universities, TVET colleges, the department, and private student housing providers.
According to NSFAS, funding for student housing for the period 2023–2026 amounts to 18 billion rand for universities and 3.5 billion rand for TVET.
Minister's Ultimatum
South African universities have stated that university-owned housing remains insufficient to meet student accommodation demand, and many institutions rely heavily on privately accredited or leased housing. The total intake of students in public universities exceeds 1.1 million in 2026. University housing provides approximately 136,445 bed spaces, covering about 20% of the total enrolled students, while privately accredited housing provides around 371,524 bed spaces.
Buti Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training, mentioned that a review commissioned in 2010 and presented in 2011 showed a worrying picture. He reported that 107,598 bed spaces were registered in university residences at that time—enough for only about one in five full-time students. Within 60 days, Manamela expects the department and NSFAS, acting jointly with educational institutions and student representatives, to present a coordinated national housing baseline.
He added: