South Africa’s higher education landscape has reached a new milestone with the official launch of Akademia’s new University campus in Paarl, Western Cape.
The private Afrikaans University, driven by the Solidarity Movement, symbolises a renewed commitment to mother-tongue education and academic independence in South Africa.
THE NEW UNIVERSITY
Located at 1 Bredastraat, Esterville, the University campus was officially introduced to the public on 15 October 2025.
From 2026, it will welcome its first cohort of full-time students while continuing to offer after-hours and distance learning options.
According to Managing Director Marthinus Visser, this University initiative represents a partnership of trust with Afrikaans-speaking communities across the Western Cape.
AKADEMIA’S RAPID GROWTH
Akademia, which has been lecturing exclusively in Afrikaans since 2012, continues to expand rapidly, according to Business Tech.
Its latest Paarl campus includes lecture halls, collaborative learning spaces, a fully equipped library, and a café named Sowel-As.
The University has also launched ‘Die Winkel’, a merchandise shop offering branded items.
With 52 full-time staff already employed, Akademia plans to grow its University workforce to nearly 88 employees by 2028.
NEW ENROLMENTS
Akademia expects about 340 first-year students to begin studies in 2026, and projects enrolments to exceed 2,000 by 2032.
The University currently offers an extensive range of qualifications, including BCom degrees in business and finance, a BEd in education, an LLB in law, and a BSc in Computer Science.
All courses are delivered in Afrikaans, underscoring the institution’s dedication to cultural and linguistic heritage.
THE AKADEMIA CAMPUS OUTSIDE PRETORIA
Beyond Paarl, construction has also begun on a new Akademia University campus outside Pretoria, valued at over R3.2 billion, according to My Broadband.
This flagship development, scheduled for completion in 2028, will house 5,000 full-time undergraduate and 1,500 postgraduate students.
EDUCATION INVESTMENTS
The creation of a new private Afrikaans University reflects South Africa’s growing demand for diverse, high-quality tertiary education options.
It represents a broader trend toward empowering linguistic communities while contributing to job creation, education accessibility, and economic investment within the country.
