Advtech secures prime location for new university in KwaZulu-Natal

Construction is expected to commence in 2027, with phase one scheduled to open in 2029. The initial build will accommodate approximately 8,000 students and include a purpose-built 500-bed student residence.

A second phase, planned for completion in 2035, will expand capacity to 10,500 students, with accommodation increasing by a further 500 beds.

The land has been acquired from Fundamentum Property Group who manage a large, national portfolio, covering a range of market sectors.

Fundamentum are also behind the hundred hectares plus Westown development in Durban.

The KwaZulu-Natal expansion follows two other tertiary developments for Advtech, both of which opened in February 2026:

• The Emeris/Vega Sandton mega-campus in Johannesburg
• The Emeris Nelson Mandela Bay mega-campus in Gqeberha

Advtech last year welcomed policy developments that create a formal pathway for private higher education institutions to apply for university status.

“We support a clear and transparent process for awarding university status. As soon as the framework allows, Emeris will apply,” says Advtech Group CEO Geoff Whyte.

As South Africa confronts high youth unemployment and shifting market demands, sustained investment in higher education remains critical to equipping students with the workplace readiness skills required to thrive in a fast-changing economy.

With continued expansion across all major economic regions, Advtech is reinforcing its position as the leading national higher education provider in South Africa - investing for growth, scale and long-term impact.