[READ] The full address by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, at the opening of the University of Western Cape's new Faculty of Education Building and the Unibell Residence.

It gives me great pleasure to invited occasion marking the official handing over of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Education Faculty precinct as well as the Unibell Student Accommodation. 

This occasion today is in line with our department’s committed to strengthening and developing the PSET sector by investing in infrastructure to provide quality teaching, learning and research and innovation spaces.

This is amongst the reasons that we have reviewed our current existing model of cooperation with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), to make it more effective and in line with our plans of using our PSET infrastructure to stimulate local economic development and inclusion.

Our determination to strengthen and grow the PSET system is of late being demonstrated by our investments in the feasibility studies of the new universities of Science and Innovation, and a new Crime Detection University through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) to the value of R6 million. 

I therefore must indicate that both the University of the Western Cape’s projects are significant in scale and will certainly add tremendous value to the University, its academic focus and the living and learning experience of students. 

Faculty of Education Precinct

In relation to the Faculty of Education Precinct which the University Master Development Plan 2014 introduced, focusing on precinct development, is also in line with our new designed model of education precincts, which I launched in a pilot project in KwaZulu Natal, called the Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct. This project is aimed at exploring and testing an alternative modality of education delivery, based on closer multi-educational institutional co-operation, closer articulation, with strong science and innovation linkages. 

Such integration through precincts as outlined above, will ensure that we produce well- rounded students who are ready to take up their positions within our economy and society. Our next similar precinct to be established will be in Giyani in Limpopo, where we have already started to set up a university campus as well. 

This is the reason why I am pleased today that I am here at the University of the Western Cape to launch another precinct which signifies a substantial next phase in the University’s focus on precinct development on its main campus, and the adaptive re-use of existing infrastructure to give new life to older buildings. 

I am also pleased that progress with this strategy was largely driven by the rate at which the science precinct is being developed – including the Life and Chemical Sciences buildings, the South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry building as well as the Computer and Mathematical Sciences (CAMS) building. As you might be aware, my Ministry is also responsible for the Department of Science and Innovation, which is driving the South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI), and such investment into science infrastructure is most welcome.

Unibell student accommodation

As a department, we remain committed to strengthening and developing the PSET sector by investing in infrastructure to provide quality teaching, learning, research and innovation spaces.

We will continue to prioritise infrastructure development at Historically Disadvantaged universities to ensure that maintenance backlogs are addressed, and the quality of infrastructure delivery management is improved at these institutions.

Let me also remind you that the Unibell student accommodation is part of the Phase 1 of the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP), of which the university of the Western Cape is allocated 2720 beds.

The Unibell project is also significant as it demonstrates the Department of Higher Education and Training’s commitment towards its partnership with universities and the Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the provision of quality student housing infrastructure facilities. It is also a practical demonstration that government and our department are committed to addressing student housing backlogs.

Perhaps some background on the history of the residential precinct will add to understanding the historical significance of why we are gathered here today. 

Some of you will be familiar with the Ministerial Review of Student Housing at Universities that was officially launched in February 2012. It presented for the first time in the history of the higher education system, a comprehensive view of the dire state of student housing at every university, and every campus. 

The review provided a real sense of the size and severity of the student housing shortage – an eye-opener not only for government, but also for our universities, our government oversight structures and society as a whole. 

The 2012 review was followed by a Student Housing Symposium in July 2016 with a wide range of role players, both in government and in the private sector, who sought to forge partnerships to assist the Department in finding lasting solutions to the shortage of student housing. 

A wide range of partners including the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), National Treasury (NT) and EU through its Infrastructure Investment Programme for South Africa (IIPSA) committed to supporting the Department’s Student Housing Infrastructure Programme by providing financial support for the development of student housing projects on universities and college campuses.

Many public universities and TVET colleges have not been able to make sufficient investments in the maintenance and expansion of their student housing portfolios, largely due to financial constraints. 

In order to assist them, my Department established the SHIP project which was aimed at addressing student housing backlog through the implementation of large student housing projects that deliver more than 1000 student beds each across universities and TVET Colleges. 

From the onset, SHIP was established to ensure that a minimum of 60% of the student beds it delivers are for campuses in rural and peri-urban areas.

One critical element of ensuring access to quality higher education and training, and success in the system, is investment in student housing infrastructure to ensure quality teaching, learning and a conducive student living and learning environment. 

This is a partnership approach with institutions of higher learning through which Government has injected significant funding into universities with the intention of stimulating additional contributions from the broader higher education sector and the private sector.

I am pleased to say that Government, through the Department’s IEG is investing significant funds into infrastructure development at our eight Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs).  

Over the six IEG cycles (2007/08 to 2024/25), a total of R12.054 billion has been allocated to the eight HDIs.  

To date, the Department has allocated a total of R1.545 billion towards infrastructure development at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). 

The Unibell Residence project cost R670 million and was made possible through collective effort with the Department’s IEG contribution of R235 million (35%) and UWC’s own funds augmented by debt financing from the DBSA (65%).

This student residence that we are opening today has been as a result of these partnerships between DBSA, National Treasury and the Department. 



In conclusion, it is common knowledge that Government has limited resources, notwithstanding it is fulfilling when those resources are used to address the expansion of the post school system. 

We must remain prudent and efficient in the use and management of our existing infrastructure. 

The Department remains committed to supporting the University of the Western Cape in its mission to develop fit for purpose infrastructure and student residences that can positively impact on the overall student learning experience. 

Chancellor, Chair of the University Council and the Vice Chancellor and all stakeholders who were part of these projects, thank you very much for delivering these two significant infrastructural projects that will improve both the life of student and staff experiences on campus. 

I thank you!

Dr Blade Nzimande,
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation