The launch of a new student accommodation facility in Johannesburg by Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, on Thursday has once again highlighted the scourge of construction mafias under the guise of business forums.
Vuyolwethu Myoli, founder of Property Developers and Construction (PDC), recently unveiled the 57 on Bok Street facility in collaboration with the provincial Human Settlements Department, alongside representatives of the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF).
The facility is set to accommodate over 200 students, a crucial addition to the growing demand for student housing in the bustling city.
Reflecting on his journey, Myoli shared the numerous hurdles he encountered before realising his dream of constructing these necessary living spaces.
“We purchased the property in 2016, with the transfer to our name completed by 2017. One of our biggest challenges was evicting individuals who were unlawfully occupying the premises,” he revealed.
Myoli recounted how extortion syndicates threatened the project on two separate occasions, attempting to halt progress until they were thwarted with the assistance of the City of Joburg’s Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) and Bad Boys Security.
Despite these obstacles, Myoli expressed gratitude for the support from the Department of Human Settlements and the GPF, which played a pivotal role in the project’s eventual success.
“The community participated actively in the process, and we ensured that they received training, which significantly eased our challenges,” he added, highlighting the importance of local engagement in development projects.
The ceremony also marked the launch of another student accommodation project in Brixton, named Viera Residence Project, which features 11 units comprising 63 beds at a cost of R17 million.
This highlights the considerable investment being made to upscale student housing in light of the increasing influx of students to the province.
Craig Cornish, board chairperson for the GPF, elaborated on the urgency of expanding such facilities, noting that only 20% of students are accommodated directly by universities in Gauteng, leaving the vast majority seeking alternative housing solutions.
MEC Motara reaffirmed her commitment to bolstering public and private partnerships that can deliver more affordable accommodation as part of the province’s strategy for revitalising the Joburg CBD.
“There are many gaps in our current policy, and while we cannot provide housing directly to students, we collaborate with institutions like the GPF,” she stated, acknowledging the critical disconnect between the rapid growth of student enrolments and available accommodation.
In a call to action, Motara underscored the need for innovative strategies to increase housing supply, noting that meeting students’ needs is essential for their academic success.
Cornish echoed this sentiment, asserting that investments in student accommodation are as important as financing education itself.
“We recognise that housing is integral to student success; providing a conducive living environment allows for focus on academics,” he added.
The Star
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