Plans to establish new university campuses in Louis Trichardt remain at an early stage, with both the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the University of Venda (Univen) yet to begin construction and no confirmed timelines for completion.
The proposed developments have been eagerly awaited by prospective students, as well as property developers and the local business community. They are expected to provide a significant economic boost to the town and surrounding areas.
On 28 November 2022, a ceremonial handover of the Univen site took place in Louis Trichardt, opposite the Makhado Show Grounds and next to Ridgeway College. The new campus is expected to include student residences and staff housing.
About two years later, in October 2024, Unisa made a presentation requesting 28 hectares in Eltivillas Extension 2 from the local municipality for a campus and an agricultural training farm. The aim is to accommodate growing student numbers and reduce reliance on leased buildings. The Makhado Municipality conditionally approved the request, paving the way for the development to proceed.
Key processes, however, are still under way for both projects.
When asked for an update, Unisa senior media officer Tommy Huma said the university was formally notified on 25 March this year that its request for a land donation had been supported by the Makhado Municipality, subject to statutory processes.
These include concluding a formal donation agreement between the municipality and Unisa; township establishment approval; public notification of the donation; subdivision and rezoning of the land for educational and agricultural use; and the provision of bulk services such as water, sewerage and electricity.
“The process to secure land for the campus is progressing, but timelines for the Unisa development may differ from those of other institutions,” he said.
Unisa said it has begun internal processes to prepare for development. These include a detailed feasibility study and technical assessments covering town planning, environmental impact, heritage, civil infrastructure, traffic impact, and topographical and geotechnical conditions.
Some of these studies have been completed, while others are still in progress and are expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2026. Once the feasibility work and high-level cost estimates are complete, Unisa’s council is expected to consider acceptance of the land donation in the fourth quarter of 2026. This would pave the way for a donation agreement and eventual land transfer.
Construction is expected to begin only after all approvals have been secured and will follow a phased approach. Parts of the campus could become operational before full completion. No official completion date has been set.
The proposed Unisa campus is expected to include classrooms, administrative offices, disability support services, and an agricultural training and research facility.
Unisa said the pace of progress reflects compliance with governance and legislative requirements. “The progress being made is deliberate and procedural, reflecting both municipal requirements and the university’s own governance processes,” Huma said.
Meanwhile, Univen said its plans for a campus in Louis Trichardt are also still subject to approvals, despite progress in planning. Univen spokesperson Takalani Dzaga said the university has completed its feasibility study and received council approval.
Construction will begin only after all necessary approvals have been secured and will follow a phased approach. No completion timeline has been confirmed.
“The project budget is yet to be determined,” Dzaga said.
He said the project is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs and is positioned as a socio-economic catalyst, with job creation and local partnerships forming part of its objectives.
Dzaga also said there have been no delays, but rather required preparatory processes, including feasibility studies, governance approvals, and stakeholder consultations.