New private university mega-campus coming to South Africa
JSE-listed Advtech has secured 10 hectares of land in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, for the development of a new university mega-campus.
Advtech, whose brands include Crawford, Trinityhouse and the recently launched Emeris, said that the new development further strengthens its higher education footprint.
Construction is expected to start in 2027, with phase one scheduled to open in 2029. The initial build will accommodate about 8,000 students and include a purpose-built 500-bed student residence.
A second phase, planned for completion in 2035, will expand the capacity to 10,500 students, with accommodation increasing by a further 500 beds.
The land has been acquired from Fundamentum Property Group, which manages a large portfolio, including Westown Development.
The KZN expansion follows two other large tertiary developments for Advtech, both of which opened in February 2026:
- The Emeris/Vega Sandton mega-campus in Johannesburg, and
- The Emeris Nelson Mandela Bay mega-campus in Gqeberha.
While the title of “university” was previously reserved for government institutions, new regulations have opened the door for private centres to obtain it.
“We support a clear and transparent process for awarding university status. As soon as the framework allows, Emeris will apply,” said Advtech Group CEO Geoff Whyte.
Advtech said that, as youth unemployment remains high, sustained investment in higher education is critical to equipping students with the workplace-readiness skills required for a fast-changing economy.
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