The facility will house specialised academies tailored to sectors like banking and insurance, with a focus on job placement. Image: Supplied
Johannesburg
1Min
South Africa
A donated skyscraper in Marshalltown is set to power digital skills training and spark urban renewal in the CBD.
Tech philanthropists David Frankel and Tracey Frankel have donated a 10-storey building to the Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII), marking a strategic private-sector push to revitalise parts of the Johannesburg Central Business District.
The 10,065 m² skyscraper at 56 Main Street will serve as the foundation for the newly launched Maharishi NextUp Institute of Technology. The initiative forms part of a broader plan to transform underused inner-city spaces into a secure “Education Town” focused on vocational and digital skills development.
MII CEO Taddy Blecher described the project as a commitment to future-proofing young people. He said the new facility represents an opportunity to ensure youth are equipped to compete in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.
The MNIT will offer industry-aligned training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud engineering. Its curriculum is designed in partnership with corporate stakeholders to directly address scarce skills and improve graduate employability. The facility will also house specialised academies tailored to sectors like banking and insurance, with a focus on job placement.
The Frankels, both internationally recognised in the tech and medical sectors, said their investment reflects confidence in Johannesburg’s potential to become a leading technology hub on the continent. They added that building sustainable infrastructure and supporting cutting-edge programmes would help develop the next generation of digital leaders.
The project is part of the Jozi My Jozi partnership, which includes major players such as Anglo American, Standard Bank, Absa and University of the Witwatersrand. The coalition aims to restore economic activity in the inner city through targeted infrastructure and security improvements.
Progress so far includes solar-powered street lighting installations and the development of a full-size football pitch known as the “Field of Dreams” — the first of its kind in the CBD in decades. A Security Mastery Academy has also been introduced to train young people who help maintain safety within the precinct.
Founded in 2007, MII says it has helped place more than 22,000 graduates into the workforce. The institute expects the new Marshalltown facility to accommodate up to 3,000 students daily within five years, positioning it as a potential model for private-sector-led urban regeneration.
