The ANC-led Gauteng Provincial Government has provided decisive leadership on higher learning infrastructure and students accommodation for Gauteng-based Institutions of Higher Learning.

As the custodian of the provincial government’s R31 billion Immovable Asset Register, the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) embarked on a process to identify available and underused government property that would be made available to Institutions of Higher Learning.

Earlier today, Premier David Makhura, through the province's Rapid Land Release Programme, geared towards resolving historical backlogs, designed by Apartheid legacy and past, handed over land to the University of South Africa (UNISA) for building a new state-of-the art learning centre at the heart of Johannesburg's CBD.

“In 2017, the Gauteng Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with all Gauteng-based universities on collaboration on socio-economic development initiatives in areas such as advanced skills development, innovation, research and development, student accommodation, safety, public transport services and infrastructure development”, said Premier Makhura.

The provincial government has also identified under-utilised government buildings that will be renovated in partnership with universities and the private sector and leased to universities for student accommodation.

“Today marks an important milestone in partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government and the higher education institutions in our province. This ANC-led provincial government has adopted a policy to release land, unutilised and under-utilised state-owned properties to universities and colleges so that they can meet their needs”, noted Premier Makhura.

In the coming weeks, a number of buildings will be handed over to Wits University to help address acute problem of student accommodation. All universities in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Sedibeng will also benefit from the release of land and leasing of state-owned buildings.

“The leadership of our universities and student organisations should understand and be pleased to know that Gauteng has a leadership that is committed to place universities at the centre of the socioeconomic development and transformation agenda of our country and province”, said Makhura.

Other prime land parcels that will be released to Institutions of Higher Learning include the following:

·         Old Pathology Building, 14 Kotze Street in Johannesburg
·         TMI Building, 157 Joubert Street in Johannesburg
·         The Transwerke Building (Portion 84 of the Farm Braamfontein 53 IR, Sam Hancock Street), Braamfontein
·         Karel Schoeman Building, 179 Nana Sita Street, Pretoria
·         De Villiershof Building, 140 & 143 Joubert Street, and 144 & 145 Steve Biko Street, Pretoria

 

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government