You just stepped off the high school train, here’s a guide that will help you choose an accommodation that best suits your needs.
Moving out of home can be stressful as the sudden onset of solo responsibilities begins however, it is less dreadful when you know your residence caters to most of, if not all your needs.
On-campus living
Wits University has campuses in and around Parktown and Braamfontein. Students can choose between on-campus residences or off-campus residences each with unique benefits and drawbacks.
The university offers free shuttle services whether you live off-campus or on-campus that transport students from their different residences in Parktown and Braamfontein.
These services operate between 06:30-00:00, meaning transport costs do not need to be budgeted for.
These accommodations vary on a scale of affordability starting from R67 160-R108 5676 annually, but they are all NSFAS accredited. Single and double rooms with meals included range between R89 326-R108 576 per student annually. These prices depend on whether you take all three meals daily or only one or two meals.
Although the meals are catered for, options for breakfast, lunch and dinner are limited. They are also catered for at specific times of the day therefore it would be ideal to store dry foods or snacks in case you miss the slots.
The upside of living on campus is that you can go to the Matrix to buy food, buy groceries or even access a bank. There are also wellness clinics that can be found on the Braamfontein campus and Wits Education campus. Consultation to see a general practitioner is R20 whereas if you are a Wits student living off-campus consultation is R50.
When there is load-shedding students are still able to study due to the back-up generators. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the entire university and some libraries are open for 24-hours on both the Parktown and Braamfontein campuses.
On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) Wits busses transport students from the different campuses to Rosebank Mall between 08:00-17:00 for free.
Off-campus residences
A few off-campus accommodations are NSFAS accredited, namely: South Point 56 Jorissen, Apex, and Campus Central. However, with the accommodation cap introduced by NSFAS in 2023 of R50 000 per student, the full rental amount may not be covered.
The rooms at South Point 56 Jorissen range between R4930-R5870. It is a self-catering residence, allowing you to prepare your meals using the kitchen in your cluster. It is also within walking distance of essential shops in Braamfontein like Pick N Pay and Clicks, and only two minutes away from main campus. Study rooms and WiFi are available to tenants.
Apex student accommodation is a one-minute walk to the Braamfontein campus, with room rates between R4780-R7700. Back-up power enables students to cook and use computer labs during outages. Entertainment and wellness events are periodically hosted on-site. However, at Apex students must self-fund electricity top-ups once their monthly allocation is depleted.
Campus Central in Parktown, has rooms priced between R6300-R8200. Their facilities include study rooms, a gym, a laundry, and an outdoor soccer field. It is a self-catering residence with nearby fast-food restaurants. It is opposite the Wits Business School and a short walking distance from Wits Education campus where the Wits buses pick up and drop off students.
There is not a shopping centre near Campus Central that you can walk to, however you can use the Wits shuttle services to travel to Bramfontein where you can find a Food Lovers Market and Pick n Pay for more specific grocery items.
Living on your own straight out of high school is a major life transition, filled with excitement, independence, and new responsibilities. Finding the right accommodation can play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth adjustment to this new chapter. Whether you prioritize affordability, location, or amenities, taking the time to research and weigh your options will help you make the best choice for your lifestyle and budget.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of the reception at the Campus Central accommodation in Parktown. Photo by: Katlego Mtshali
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Wits Vuvuzela: WITH GALLERY: Wits reses battle it out, May 2023
- Wits Vuvuzela: FINANCE FEATURE: The struggle for accommodation at Wits, Oct 2023
- Wits Vuvuzela: Wits SRC secures millions for student accommodation, June 2022