SA institution becomes first African university to own airport
In a historic move for higher education, a prominent South African university has acquired a 20-hectare airport for its students.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) has made history by becoming the first tertiary institution in Africa to own an airport.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula announced the groundbreaking 20-hectare acquisition, confirming the facility will train aeronautical and engineering students in highly specialised fields.
The purchase was announced during a recent press conference celebrating the university’s five years of academic excellence and sustained improvement in international rankings. LenkaBula confirmed the state-of-the-art facility will act as a launchpad for future innovators.
Why did UNISA buy a 20-hectare airport?
The massive new property is specifically designed to provide hands-on experience for students entering complex technical sectors. Rather than relying solely on distance learning, Africa’s largest open-distance institution is expanding its practical footprint to demonstrate a deep commitment to innovation and practical education.
Vice-Chancellor LenkaBula proudly stated that the newly acquired facility will thoroughly support vital training in aviation, drones, and advanced digital systems.
Boitumelo Senokoane, associate professor in the College of Human Sciences, elaborated on the benefits of this unique educational acquisition:
“This 20-hectare airport will give our students a unique opportunity to apply their studies in practice and gain skills that are in high demand in the aviation and engineering industries”.
A rich history of educational innovation
Founded in 1873, UNISA caters to over 400 000 students globally, making it one of the world’s mega universities. This aviation milestone perfectly aligns with the institution’s recent growth in research output, particularly in digitalisation, biotechnology, renewable energy, and space-science innovation.