Akademia’s world-class campus in the east of Pretoria is no longer just a big dream. With the construction phase set to begin in January 2026, the first visible signs of progress are now really starting to take shape. The foundation phase of this monumental campus development is well underway, with earthworks and concrete spills laying the foundation for this Afrikaans study home.

According to Henk Schalekamp, managing director of Kanton, the real estate investment company responsible for the development, this phase represents much more than just construction. It represents the creation of a dynamic space in which young people, for generations to follow, will be formed, where academic and cultural development will take place purposefully and where the future will take shape with hope.

“Every new development on the campus site is a testament to momentum, dedication and purpose with multiple construction teams working together daily to create a lasting legacy,” says Schalekamp. He further believes that the good progress of this world-class living space for Afrikaans will make a meaningful contribution not only to higher education, but also to Afrikaans language and cultural communities.

For his part, Marthinus Visser, managing director of Akademia, believes that over the course of the next two years, not just a campus will be built, but that a community will be inspired to realise the future for themselves. “At the moment, the construction phase is receiving attention and work is being done tirelessly to realise this campus dream. In the background, however, Akademia is also working hard to be ready to move into the new campus in 2028,” says Visser. This preparation includes, among others: further dynamic programme development, activities that further establish Akademia as a community institution as well as strategies to expand student numbers. “We stand on the threshold of realising an incredible dream, and are excited about every building block laid down for the future,” Visser adds.

Architectural and Engineering Scope

The construction phase represents the core of the future campus and unlocks an investment scope of R1,8 billion. This includes numerous state-of-the-art lecture halls, advanced laboratories, dedicated research spaces, staff spaces as well as various support facilities. The design will further emphasize the integration of innovative spaces, technology, and human interaction.

Some infrastructure highlights in this phase include:

• A 2 500-square-metre student centre as the social hub of the campus.
• Residences for about 750 students after which the capacity will be expanded to 1 500 during the second phase.
• An impressive entry point to the academic campus, Die Poort (The Port), which consists of eight arches of 18 metres each.
• A chapel plaza surrounded by water canals and beautiful gardens will be the meaningful centre of the campus’s spiritual and ceremonial activities.
• An imposing dome structure of glass and steel (20 metres high and 32 metres in diameter) will add to the classic architectural building plan.

• An amphitheatre with a capacity for 1 500 people as a cultural and gathering space.

The engineering scope of the project is underlined by the scale of the proposed development and highlights in this regard include:

• the relocation of more than 220 000 cubic yards of land;
• laying more than 23 kilometres of underground pipes;
• a water storage capacity of 19,3 million litres;
• the use of approximately 7,1 million bricks;
• the laying of 40 kilometres of optical fibre; and

• the development of some 30 000 square metres of tarmac roads.

The main contractors for this phase are JC van der Linde and Venter Projects, who were also responsible for the successful delivery of the Sol-Tech campus. Visit the Akademia webpage for more information about the Toekomsbouer™ (Future Builder) campaign, and how to get involved.