Africa Guardian

_{By Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian}

South Africa is poised to see the opening of five new universities over the next decade, comprising two government-funded institutions and three private ones.

Government Universities

Despite a growing preference for private institutions among prospective students, the South African government is committed to establishing two new universities. Currently, the country has 26 official government universities.

1. University of Policing and Crime Detection
   Announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020, the University of Policing and Crime Detection aims to enhance the training of South African Police Service (SAPS) officers. Located in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, the university is part of a broader initiative to improve policing standards. According to Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, technical planning for the university is ongoing and is expected to be completed by 2024.
2. University of Science and Innovation
   The University of Science and Innovation will be established in the City of Ekurhuleni, with Boksburg identified as the preferred location. The government owns the land at this site, which is well-positioned for visibility and future expansion.

Private Universities

In addition to the government initiatives, three new private institutions are set to open in South Africa in the coming years. Although these entities will offer degree programs, they will not be formally recognized as universities under South African regulations, which stipulate that only public institutions can use the title “university.”

1. Akademia
   Trade Union Solidarity is developing Akademia, a R3 billion Afrikaans private university in Pretoria. This Christian and independent institution will cater to Afrikaans-speaking communities. The campus, located along Boschkop Road in Pretoria East, will include four men’s and four women’s residences, accommodating up to 1,500 students.
2. Stadio
   Stadio operates six existing campuses and is now planning a new comprehensive campus in Durbanville, Cape Town. The decision follows a 52% increase in student numbers at Stadio’s Centurion campus. The new Durbanville campus aims to meet the growing demand for higher education in the area.
3. AdvTech
   AdvTech is in the process of acquiring a building to be converted into a university campus, pending approval from the Competition Commission. Expansion efforts include new mega-campuses for Rosebank College in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Braamfontein, as well as a new Vega campus in Pretoria, adjacent to Varsity College.

These new institutions are set to enhance South Africa’s higher education landscape, providing more opportunities for students and contributing to the country’s educational development.

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