South African universities set to reap the World Cup rewards

South African universities are bracing themselves for a major cash windfall when the Fifa World Cup makes its way to the country this year.

Some universities are expected to earn up to R20 million (€2 million) from renting out accommodation to competing teams, fans, and media who are coming to the country for the event, with universities making substantial investments to their student residences and sporting facilities in order to take the best possible advantage of the event.

With the country’s academic year beginning earlier than usual this year, the first semester will be finished before the contest takes over the country in June ensuring that campuses are free for the visitors.

North-West University has already managed to secure the world number one team Spain to their campus, with the University of Pretoria playing host to number eight in the world, Argentina. The world-class sporting facilities of both ensured they were able to attract these top-class teams.

For universities who have failed to secure teams to call their campus home for the competition’s duration, a large amount of money is still available purely from renting out of rooms. One has rented out part of its accommodation to the South African police, and journalists from the BBC during the World Cup.

The University of the Western Cape has also seen a boom from the coming of the World Cup with investment in new sports pitches, stadium changes, and accommodation revamps.

Xolo Tyhalibongo, a spokesperson for the university told the Mail & Guardian newspaper: “The World Cup will leave a legacy that directly impacts on the quality of student life on our campus.”