Nelson Mandela University launches campaign to nourish minds and fund dreams
Nelson Mandela University has launched a campaign to encourage corporates, alumni and friends of the University to help its students.
Mandela University’s 2025 Giving Campaign is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and aligns with its #MandelaDay 2025 theme of “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality”.
The objective of Mandela University’s fundraising appeal is to help its students graduate. It aims to generate this help by eradicating the main challenges that arise. The University’s Empower Futures: Nourish Minds, Fund Dreams campaign has two aims:
To help deserving students, particularly postgraduate and those deemed “missing middle”, who cannot fund their studies and
To help unfunded students in the aforementioned categories who are forced to skip daily meals because they cannot afford food.
About 60% of Mandela University students are National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)-funded, with the rest being fee-paying students. A significant portion of fee-paying students are postgraduate students who were NSFAS-funded during their undergraduate funding, as well as those whose household income is between R350 000 and R600 000 – deemed the “missing middle”.
In the spirit of the legacy of the institution’s namesake, former South African president Nelson Mandela, an international icon for social justice and reconciliation, Nelson Mandela University’s 2025 Giving Campaign aims to help these students succeed and make their mark in society.
Gqeberha officials fly SA flag at World University Games
One could say the international careers of sports officials Melinda Goosen and Cheryl Kotze is going swimmingly after the pair were appointed to manage the aquatics team at the World University Games.
Goosen, who manages swimming at Mandela University, have been tasked to head up the diving squad while Kotze, an administrator at the club, will manage the men’s swimming team.
Madibaz aquatics manager Melinda Goosen will manage the South African diving team at the World University Games in Germany next month. Photo: Full Stop Communications
The Games, which draw thousands of elite athletes from across the globe, takes place in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region from July 16 to 27.
Even though it will be Goosen’s fifth appearance, the opportunity remains as thrilling as ever.
“It’s a massive and spectacular occasion,” the Madibaz Sport manager said.
“I’ll never forget the moment Tatjana Schoenmaker won Team South Africa’s first medal at the Games. It captured the spirit of the event and remains one of my fondest memories.”
Schoenmaker went on to win Olympic gold medals in 2020 and 2024 before retiring as one of the country’s all-time greats.
The diving role is a new one for Goosen, who is already burying herself in logistics to ensure a seamless team experience to what she says is the “premier international event for student-athletes”.
Nelson Mandela University labour law pioneer retires after 40 years
South African labour law expert Professor Adriaan Van der Walt is passing on the baton after a distinguished career of more than 40 years at Nelson Mandela University.
As the long-time head of the University’s Labour and Social Security Law Unit (LSSLU) which he founded in 2003, Prof Van der Walt has played a pivotal role in advancing labour law education, practice and policy nationally.
Faculty of Law Dean Dr Lynn Biggs highlighting his contribution: “Prof van der Walt’s profound contributions to the field of labour law have shaped both academic thought and practical application.
"His passion for the law, dedication to teaching, and ability to inspire critical thinking have left a lasting impact on generations of students and professionals. Prof did not only advance the discipline but also embedded a practical approach to legal education.”
Prof Van der Walt has helped shape South Africa’s labour landscape through his work in academia, public policy and legal reform. He served as Ministerially appointed Chair of both the Employment Conditions Commission and the National Minimum Wage Commission.
Despite officially retiring on 31 December 2024, Prof Van der Walt has not cut ties with the Faculty of Law and is continuing to supervise senior students. He is also continuing to act as a Senior Commissioner at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), a role he has been fulfilling since its inception in 1996.
Professor André Calitz receives 2025 AISSAC Life Achievement Award #R2bP
Emeritus Professor in Computing Sciences at Mandela University Professor Andre Calitz has been awarded the 2025 AISSAC (Association of Information Systems, Southern Africa Chapter (AISSAC) Life Achievement Award.
The award was presented to Prof Calitz in recognised for the significant role he has played in the Information Systems (IS) community in South Africa throughout his academic career.
He was the co-organiser of six SACLA and SAICSIT conferences and created numerous opportunities for local academics to present and publish their work on IS research and education.
Prof Calitz also revitalised and strengthened SACLA (Southern African Computer Lecturers’ Association) at a time when the future of the association appeared uncertain.
Over many years, he served on the SAICSIT Board (SA Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists) as a representative of SACLA, helping to strengthen the ties between the two organisations.
In addition, he has published a substantial number of papers, chapters and articles, both individually and in collaboration with colleagues and postgraduate students, many of whom he mentored.
First remote SA master’s student in USA Community Engagement programme #R2bP
Community Liaison and Marketing Manager at Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus Khanyisa Manzini is the first fully remote student from SA and Africa to complete Merrimack College’s Master’s in Community Engagement programme.
In addition, she also became the college’s first international graduate fellow to complete a remote placement, working with Princeton University’s Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES).
“She is also the first e graduate fellow from anywhere outside of the US who has completed a fully remote fellowship”, Dr Audrey Falk, Professor and Director of the Community Engagement Program at Merrimack College. said.
Reflecting on what motivated her to take on this cross-continental challenge, Khanyi shares, “I wanted to unfurl my dreams and overcome obstacles I didn’t even know existed.”
George Campus academics make their mark on global and national platforms
George Campus academics Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana and Ewayne Le Roux are among the dedicated academics, who are advancing knowledge and policy at both international and national levels.
Dr Ramantswana (left), a Forestry academic and coordinator at the George Campus, delivered a plenary keynote address at the 2025 IPEF Forest Plantation Congress held in São Paulo, Brazil.
The event, attended by over 400 participants, is a significant platform for the global forestry sector.
Dr Ramantswana's address entitled, “A Forecast of Re-establishment Technologies in Plantation Forestry”, focused on global trends in silviculture innovation, including machine-specific advancements, precision material inputs, AI-enhanced operator systems, and digitalisation.
His work forms part of the Modern Silviculture Research project, in collaboration with Prof Saulo Guerra from UNESP, Brazil — a partnership that has produced research publications, student exchanges, and conference presentations since 2018.