Two new residences are under construction at Stellenbosch University (SU) and should, on completion, contribute an additional 440 beds on campus, confirmed Martin Viljoen, media manager at SU.
The construction of the new residences is part of a long-term plan to address the accommodation shortage experienced by students, said Viljoen.
“The gender breakdown of the two new residences being built next to Goldfields and scheduled to open in 2024, has […] not been confirmed,” stated Martin Viljoen, media manager at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
At the start of the year the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) announced a R45 000 accommodation allowance cap, sparking an accommodation shortage for many students, said Masilo Silokazi, SU Student Representative Council (SRC) chairperson.
“Accommodation every year is a huge problem, but the issue worsened this year because of the NSFAS cap,” said Silokazi.
The provisional date for the completion of the new residences is January 2024, according to Viljoen.
Both residences “are located next to the existing Goldfields Residence complex”, said Viljoen. The gender breakdown of the two new residences has not yet been confirmed, added Viljoen.
Majuba is one of eight on-campus male residences at Stellenbosch University (SU). There are currently “approximately 8 000 beds available for student accommodation on the Stellenbosch and the Tygerberg campus”, said Martin Viljoen, media manager at SU. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
Stranded without a residence
Viljoen told MatieMedia that SU is “acutely aware of NSFAS students adversely affected by the cap”.
At the start of the 2023 academic year, students needing emergency accommodation during the welcoming period were housed at a backpackers in Stellenbosch Central as an interim measure, stated Viljoen.
Close to 50 students were placed in the backpackers, said Silokazi. However, she claimed the conditions were “uncomfortable, because as classes started we got an even larger influx of people”.
“Before coming here I was hoping for campus accommodation. Now a NSFAS-accredited private residence will do,” said a student who would prefer to remain anonymous, on the 22nd of February.
According to this student, most of those students initially housed at the backpackers have since found affordable NSFAS-accredited accommodation.
“Accommodation every year is a huge problem, this year no one was really expecting the magnitude,” stated Masilo Silokazi, SU Student Representative Council chairperson. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
Call for policy changes
“Because of what has happened this year the university is more prepared,” said Silokazi. “I do think the additional beds will help.”
However, a policy reform was needed regarding accommodation placement, stated Silokazi regarding the construction of new residences. Priority should be given to students who live far away, and to those who are academically suffering, added Silokazi.
Policy changes are already being discussed within SU, claimed Silokazi. “There are important figures in the greater University space that genuinely think that there needs to be a reform of policy,” added Silokazi.
At the time of publication, it could not be confirmed who carried the cost of students who were housed in the backpackers.