4.7.6. New building, extension or alteration to existing buildings/other Land Improvements

• Wits School of Arts: Digital Arts Building and Multipurpose Performance venue The construction of the new Wits School of Arts (WSOA) Digital Arts Building was completed in March 2021, and theadjacentsharedWSOAMultipurposePerformanceVenueisalsonearingcompletionafterexperiencingsevere construction delays arising from the COVID related implications on the construction industry as a whole. The construction was suspended in the initial lockdown period where construction activities were prohibited. Upon resumingconstructionactivities,thepaceofconstructionwassignificantlyreducedtocomplywithCovid-19safety regulations, and severe material supply shortages (predominantly steel shortages) resulted in further delays. The revised completion date for the full scope of the project is 31 May 2021. The WSOA Digital Arts Department has already commenced with its academic programmes in the new facilities as from the 2021 academic year. (Refer to the pictures above and below ).