The building of additional residences at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University brought much relief to the university students who faced challenges securing quality student accommodation conducive to supporting their academic success.
Their situation has improved for the better as a result of an investment of R463 million of which R235 million loan from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) was pledged at the fifth South African Investment Conference that took place in April this year.
More than 1 700 students are now occupying the newly built residences, which afford them an opportunity to worry less about the distance they have to travel from the institution to rented accommodation, as well as environments that may not be conducive to their study needs.
“Our Mahikeng Campus housing has been a serious challenge, and the building of these residences brought much wanted relief to allow us to cater for more students on the campus itself,” says the Spokesperson NWU, Mr Louis Jacobs.
He adds that other than providing the much-needed accommodation to more than 1 700 students, the residences have provided permanent employment to more than sixty people. These include residence officers, house parents, cleaners, security personnel and gardeners.
Pledges worth billions of rands that were made at the fifth South African Investment Conference held at the Sandton Convention Centre in April contributed in bringing the total value of investment pledges over a five-year investment mobilisation period to R1.51 trillion, thereby exceeding the initial target of R1.2 trillion set by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During his closing remarks, President Ramaphosa singled out investment in infrastructure as being the centre of economic development.
“Infrastructure development meets pressing community needs, and leaves behind a legacy that future generations will use,” said President Ramaphosa.
Enquiries:
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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