​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) has unveiled Winchester Heights, a student residence that will house 224 students.
MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and COGTA, Lebogang Maile said the 56unit accommodation is intended for students attending the University of Johannesburg's (UJ) Soweto campus.
The accommodation will help address the shortage of student accommodation in the province.
Maile said students needed a conducive environment that would help them to be innovative and have a social life as they prepare themselves for adulthood.
Student, Nompiloenhle Mabena said she was grateful to everyone who took part in this initiative. 
"Thank you for bringing your vision to life for us. It is difficult to find fully furnished accommodation if you are not accredited to live on campus. It is everything a student needs," said Mabena.
MEC Maile said it was encouraging to see two young black entrepreneurs, project developers of Tshellaine Holdings Tshepo Lekao and Elaine Pasha play a role in property development. 
"Today we are very excited that we have two young black entrepreneurs. It is encouraging to see young people continuing to play their role. If our systems can identify the right entrepreneurs who are skilled and know what they are doing, it will be a game changer, especially in the property industry. 
"It is a huge multibillion untransformed sector, what we are launching today is just a drop in an ocean," said Maile.
Although government has land at its disposal, one of the impediments is bulk infrastructure, creative ways to utilise it and entrepreneurs' reluctance to collaborate. 
"We might have people who have money who might not have the entrepreneurial approach, we should see those as funders so that we do not just see government and government agencies as the only source of funding," added Maile