Manamela sets target to enrol first students at University of Ekurhuleni

Higher education minister Buti Manamela says the first students at the planned University of Ekurhuleni could be registered before the construction of a permanent campusbegins. Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Manamela said construction of the long-delayed university is realistically expected to start in 2029. However, the government is working towards an earlier milestone, registering the institution’s first students before the physical campus iscompleted.

“The goal is not construction commencement, but it is about registration of the first student,” said Manamela. According to the department, work that still needs to be completed, including feasibility processes, a budget facility for infrastructure application to the National Treasury, as well as design and procurement processes, will take about three years. Manamela told MPs that discussions with the City of Ekurhuleni have revived momentum around the project.

The city has offered possible land and infrastructure options while the department is exploring whether temporary facilities or a blended academic model could allow students to enroll ahead of the planned constructiontime. The university was first announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa during the 2020 state of the nation address (SONA) as part of the government’s plan to expand access to higher education by establishing new universities in underserved areas. However, progress has been slow.

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Manamela confirmed that a location study, which is a key part of the feasibility process that will determine the site of the university, has not yet started because of a R19.5m funding shortfall. The department is working to resolve the gap by reprioritising existing infrastructure grants. The project’s financial outlook improved in the February 2026 budget, when National Treasury indicated it was willing to allocate infrastructure funding for both the planned Ekurhuleni and Hammanskraal universities through the budget facility for infrastructure.

The renewed push follows a meeting held between Manamela and Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, the executive mayor of the city of Ekurhuleni. In a statement issued after the meeting, Manamela and Xhakaza said they had discussed progress towards establishing the University of Ekurhukeni. They reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education.

During the meeting, Xhakaza appealed for the project to be revived with a focus on science and innovation. He said Ekurhuleni, as a major economic and industrial hub, is well placed to host an institution that supports skills development, research and innovation aligned with the needs of the economy. Manamela welcomed the intervention and confirmed that the department would move to resuscitate the project by appointing a project steering committee, led by a senior project leader, to guide the next phase of work and ensure that required institutional processes are put in place.

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