“ The highest-performing assets of the next decade will be those that solve real problems,” says Van Rooyen.“ In student housing, every rand deployed can generate both sustainable income and visible social value.”
A moment for collaboration
With universities under pressure to expand capacity and government support schemes evolving, the window for public-private partnerships is opening fast. Operators like MSH, with managed beds across six cities, demonstrate that scalability, governance, and social outcomes can coexist profitably.
Van Rooyen believes collaboration, not competition, is key to meeting national demand.
“ We don’ t see ourselves as competing with universities or other PBSA entities,” she says.“ We’ re complementing them, helping to meet national accommodation targets while giving investors a chance to participate in something truly nation-building.”
The generational opportunity ahead
Student accommodation has proven resilient through economic uncertainty, offering stable occupancy, recurring revenue, and longterm demand. As South Africa’ s youth population surges and education expands, the sector will remain underpinned by necessity rather than luxury.
41