The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has instructed the Department and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to submit an agreed national baseline for student accommodation within 60 days. The discussion on student housing issues was the central theme of the colloquium of the Higher Education and Training Portfolio Committee held on Friday.
Issues regarding student accommodation were discussed at this forum, which is recognized as a critically important element for the success of both universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Furthermore, the committee reviewed NSFAS limitations on student housing, funding, and accreditation, as well as factors influencing the cost of living in the sector.
The Department of Higher Education and Training reported a shortage of student housing in higher education institutions, as well as low quality of life in many existing accommodation facilities. It was noted that student housing can be owned by the institution, rented by the institution, or private 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 number of beds.
According to a 2019 survey on student housing provision, the demand in the university sector was estimated at 362,381 bed spaces, while the 2018 survey data showed a need of 182,748 bed spaces in the TVET sector.
Overview of the current housing situation
DHET stated that public partnerships with private providers of student housing have yielded positive results. The planned capacity in 2026 across 26 public universities will be 525,497 bed spaces, including institution-owned, institution-rented, and privately accredited housing. Of the total 527,497 bed spaces, 135,353 belong to universities, 68,102 are leased by universities, and 331,945 are privately accredited housing. According to the department, 9,907 university-owned bed spaces are unused due to incomplete renovations, reducing the total university property from 135,353 to 125,446 in 2026.
The department also announced plans to complete construction of another 3,100 student places for the 2027 academic year at four institutions: Sekhukhune University of Health Sciences (SMU), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and Limpopo University (UL).
Survey results from March 2026 show that the capacity in public TVET colleges is only 9,968 bed spaces in institutional own residences, with a deficit in TVET-owned housing reaching 76,574 bed spaces. According to the department, 13% of TVET respondents consider the conditions good, 48% satisfactory, and 39% poor.
Immediate departmental actions and preparations for 2027 will be based on a hybrid model that will take into account NSFAS protocols and be developed in consultation with universities, TVET colleges, the department, and private student housing providers.
Funding and reliance on the private sector
According to NSFAS, the funding for student housing for the period 2023–2026 amounts to 18 billion rand for universities and 3.5 billion rand for TVET. South African universities noted that university-owned housing remains insufficient to meet demand, and many institutions are heavily reliant on accredited private or rented housing. Meanwhile, the number of students enrolled in public universities exceeds 1.1 million in 2026.
University-owned housing provides approximately 136,445 bed spaces, covering about 20% of the total enrolled students, while accredited private housing provides around 371,524 bed spaces.
Buti Manamela, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, recalled that the ministry review conducted in 2010 and presented in 2011 showed a worrying picture. He noted that 107,598 bed spaces were registered in university residences at that time—enough for only about one in five full-time students. Manamela expects that within 60 days, the department and NSFAS, together with institutions and student representatives, will present an agreed national baseline for accommodation.
He added that the projected deficit already amounted to 195,815 bed spaces, along with over 4 billion rand in needs for maintenance, repair, and modernization (at 2010 prices). By March 2025, the government reported the completion of 9,721 bed spaces in the first phase of the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme.
Manamela emphasized that private investment has also expanded the supply of bed spaces, especially in urban centers, as many old commercial buildings have been converted into functioning student communities. Responsible private providers have become important partners in expanding access.
The Minister demanded the creation of a single verified registry of properties, owners, accredited capacity, room categories, approved prices, resident students, and payments. He also insisted on monthly reconciliation of occupancy with registration and rental data. Manamela warned that any suspicion of collusion, false accreditation, 'ghost' residency, duplication of claims, and illegal conduct must be reported to the relevant investigative, competition, regulatory, and law enforcement agencies.