University News

14/07/2026

The latest Nelson Mandela University information to keep you informed and up to date. This features news stories about outstanding achievements, new developments, announcements and successes at our University.

Professor Syden Mishi co-opted to the Council of the South African Economic Society

Mandela University Economics Professor Syden Mishi has been co-opted to the Council of the South African Economic Society for a two-year term.

The Economic Society of South Africa is a significant society within the field of Economics, with council members from academic, industry and government. The Society is tasked with leading and promoting the discussion of both theoretical and applied economic issues.

The Society also publishes the prestigious journal: The South African Journal of Economics.

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Mandela University pianist to showcase South African talent at prestigious UK music festival

When fourth-year Nelson Mandela University Bachelor of Music (BMus) student Mathew Draai takes to the stage at the British Isles Music Festival (BIMF) in the United Kingdom this July, he will do so not only as an accomplished young pianist, but as a representative of South African musical talent on the global stage.

The festival, taking place from 14 to 22 July, brings together a select group of emerging musicians from more than 25 countries for an intensive programme of performances, masterclasses and coaching with internationally acclaimed artists.

For Mathew, earning a place among this cohort is both a personal milestone and an opportunity to showcase the calibre of musical talent emerging from the Eastern Cape.

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Nelson Mandela University hosts HEITSA NATE 2026, showcasing ICT leadership in Higher Education

Nelson Mandela University recently hosted the Higher Education Information Technology South Africa (HEITSA) National Annual Technology Exhibition (NATE) 2026, welcoming ICT leaders, practitioners, and industry partners from South Africa's 26 public universities for four days of knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation.

As the representative body for ICT in South Africa's public higher education sector, HEITSA works to advance best practices and strengthen digital transformation across universities. NATE is the organisation's flagship annual event, providing a platform for ICT executives, technical specialists and strategic partners to explore emerging technologies and address the evolving needs of higher education.

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Mandela University hosts international forum on sustainable futures

As communities worldwide grapple with climate change, resource scarcity, waste, and growing demands for food, water, energy and jobs, the need for innovative approaches to sustainable development has become increasingly urgent.

Against this backdrop, Nelson Mandela University hosted the 2026 Australia–Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Africa Conference from 8 to 11 June under the theme Circular Economies for Inclusive and Sustainable Futures.

The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and emerging scholars to explore how circular economy (CE) principles can support more inclusive and sustainable development across Africa and Australia.

Universities from Germany, SA and Tanzania explore support of Sustainable Development Goals

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Germany), in partnership with Nelson Mandela University (South Africa) and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), recently hosted a symposium titled Higher Education Engagement Work in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals: Comparative Perspectives from South Africa, Tanzania and Germany in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany.

As universities increasingly seek to address complex global challenges, the symposium explored how engagement has become an essential third pillar, alongside teaching and research, in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The two-day programme provided a valuable platform for exploring diverse understandings of engagement shaped by different historical, political, social and cultural contexts.

From Paris Fashion Week to modelling for the University

Fom Paris Fashion Week to the launch of Nelson Mandela University’s official brand store, student siblings Leighton and Braylon Gallant were the perfect ambassadors for the University’s new range of apparel and merchandise.

On 19 June 2026 the brand store was opened at the Science Centre and planetarium dome. “When I first saw the brand store, I thought, ‘Wow! It looks like a shop you would see in a mall’,” says Leighton, a 24-year-old third-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Human Resource Management.

Student siblings Leighton and Braylon Gallant at the launch of Nelson Mandela University’s official brand store

Two Mandela University academics reach “Science Oscars” finals

Two Nelson Mandela University academics are finalists in the prestigious National Science and Technology Forum South32 (NSTF-South32) Awards.

The finalists in the awards known as the “Science Oscars” are:

Dr Mapula Razwinani – Researcher: Female Academic Leadership Fellowship (FALF); FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Mandela Research Chair: Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, in the TW Khambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher category and
Dr Denise Schael, Director of the Institute for Coastal and Marine (CMR) in the Communication Award category.

The NSTF Awards, in partnership with co-branding sponsor South32, recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa by individuals, teams, partnerships and organisations since 1998. Nominees compete for 20 awards under 16 categories.