What a rewarding engagement. It was a privilege for our team at Mbatha Walters & Simpson to present at the South African Union of Students National Student Accommodation Indaba, where we explored the economics of student accommodation and the realities behind delivering sustainable student housing.
Drawing on decades of cost management expertise and practical project experience, we unpacked what it truly takes to finance, design and deliver quality accommodation, while highlighting the structural challenges that continue to shape the sector. Our objective was not simply to present figures, but to encourage informed dialogue around practical solutions that balance affordability, quality and long-term sustainability.
Our message was clear: South Africa’s student accommodation challenge cannot be solved by any single stakeholder. Meaningful progress will require collaboration between students, government, higher education institutions, financiers and the private sector, working together to create an environment where investment and social impact reinforce one another. We are grateful to SAUS for creating a platform for robust engagement and look forward to continuing these important conversations as we collectively work towards expanding access to safe, dignified and sustainable student accommodation.
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