The University's longstanding contribution to the discipline was further recognised through an international award presented to its Chair for Human Settlements, Professor Sijekula Mbanga.
The milestones formed part of the 2026 Pan-African City Symposium and Exposition (PACSE), hosted by Mandela University in partnership with the US-Africa Collaborative and IHSP-SA under the theme "Smart Futures: From Smart Villages to Smart Economies – Exploring Models that Create Resilient, Equitable, Regenerative and Thriving Communities".
The week-long gathering brought together policymakers, academics, practitioners, government leaders, international partners and industry representatives to explore collaborative solutions for sustainable human settlements across Africa.
Officially launching IHSP-SA, Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane described the establishment of the Institute as "an important milestone for the human settlements sector", saying it comes at a time when South Africa is strengthening professional capacity across the human settlements value chain.
"The launch of the Institute must therefore not be viewed merely as the creation of another organisation. It must be viewed as the beginning of a disciplined national effort to build the Human Settlements profession," she said.
Framing the symposium as more than a technical gathering, Minister Simelane reminded delegates that "the future is not built in brick and mortar; the future is built through ideas".
She said that while technology would play an important role in shaping tomorrow's cities and communities, "smart cities, smart towns, smart villages and smart settlements require smart institutions, smart partnerships, capable professionals and ethical practitioners".
The Minister emphasised that a truly smart future places people at its centre.
"A truly smart human settlement is one that is inclusive, resilient, well-located, serviced, safe, affordable, climate-responsive and socially just. It is a settlement where innovation serves human dignity. This is the future we must build," she said.
She added that the Department's mandate extends well beyond the delivery of houses.
"As the Department of Human Settlements, we are increasingly clear that our work can no longer be limited to the delivery of housing units alone. We must build sustainable and integrated human settlements," she said.
To support this vision, Minister Simelane announced that the Department will formalise a cooperation agreement with IHSP-SA to advance professional standards, capacity development, research, continuing professional development, graduate support and practitioner recognition.
She also announced two national special projects aimed at strengthening municipal capacity and creating structured employment pathways for Human Settlements graduates.
Opening the symposium, Mandela University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Azwinndini Muronga, reflected on the University's longstanding commitment to advancing human settlements education, research and societal impact.
He said the symposium aligned closely with the University's vision of being "a dynamic African university recognised for its leadership in generating cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future" and with its philosophy of being a public university in the service of society.
"When the US-Africa Collaborative approached Nelson Mandela University to host its Pan-African City Symposium, we recognised that it aligned closely with our engagement philosophy of partnering with like-minded organisations to help solve society's pressing challenges," he said.
Professor Muronga highlighted the University's pioneering contribution to the discipline, recalling that it was in the same auditorium on 19 March 2013 that the then Minister of Human Settlements, Tokyo Sexwale, launched the University's Bachelor of Human Settlements Development degree.
The qualification was introduced to address critical skills shortages in the sector and has since grown into a comprehensive academic offering that includes a Higher Certificate in Human Settlements Development, a research-based Master's programme, professional short learning programmes and an active Research Chair in Human Settlements.
"The seed that was planted here in 2013 culminates in the day we are having today," Professor Muronga said.
He noted that the University's programmes continue to evolve in response to changing labour market demands while contributing to capacity building across government, municipalities, traditional leadership structures and the broader human settlements sector.
Professor Muronga also challenged the University and its partners to ensure graduates become not only employable professionals but entrepreneurs capable of driving innovation within the sector.
"Potential employers need to understand the capabilities of the graduates we produce, but equally we need to produce entrepreneurs who will shape the future of human settlements," he said.
He said he hoped the symposium would produce tangible, long-term outcomes for South Africa and the African continent.
"Can we see some products of this conference in the next 10 to 50 years? That is the challenge before us," he said.
Professor Sijekula Mbanga greets Minister Simelane
The University's contribution to advancing equitable and sustainable human settlements was further recognised during the closing ceremony, where Chair for Human Settlements Professor Sijekula Mbanga received the prestigious US-Africa Collaborative Nelson Mandela 'Madiba' Social Justice and Equity Award.
The award honours exceptional leadership and lifelong dedication to advancing social justice, equity, human dignity and transformative service to communities.
Accepting the award, Professor Mbanga dedicated the honour to people living in informal settlements and slums across the world, including communities in South Africa, India, Kenya, Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico.
He also dedicated the award to forcibly displaced people worldwide "who have and are losing homes through violence, war and conflict" and to those living under threat and uncertainty in refugee camps, border processing centres, emergency housing settlements and other spaces of displacement where adequate housing remains out of reach.
The award was presented by US-Africa Collaborative Chairperson Elizabeth Glenn Scott together with Professor Mbanga's daughter, Abulele Mbanga, Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Space Optimisation at Nelson Mandela University.
Concluding her keynote address, Minister Simelane challenged delegates to work collectively towards a more capable and people-centred human settlements sector.
"Smart futures will not build themselves. They will be built by capable institutions, ethical practitioners, skilled graduates, innovative professionals, responsive municipalities, committed provinces, accountable entities and active communities," she said.
She urged delegates to seize the opportunity presented by the symposium and the launch of IHSP-SA.
"Above all, let us build human settlements that restore dignity, advance justice and give practical meaning to the promise of a better life for all," she said.