With a carefully curated programme under the umbrella theme “Reimagining and Co-creating the Eastern Cape Province We Want – A Higher Education Sectoral Contribution for a New Vision for South Africa”, the Dialogue marks a defining moment in the sector’s collective commitment to social transformation, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democratic participation across the province and the country.
It forms part of the broader National Dialogue initiative, aimed at fostering a citizen-driven process of national renewal. The Eastern Cape launch aims to mobilise the province’s higher education and training institutions particularly as visionary and dependable partners in this process.
The programme will be facilitated by Nelson Mandela University’s Mr Lubabalo Saba and Ms Sinethezekile Mpanza.
Saba is a seasoned higher education and strategy professional who serves as Faculty Operations Manager in the Faculty of Science. His experience bridges academic governance, institutional transformation and innovation management.
Mpanza, a former member of the University’s Student Representative Council (SRC), is currently completing her Master’s in Sociology. Her research focuses on gender-based violence and institutional responses within higher education, with the goal of contributing to transformative policy reform and implementation.
Together, the programme facilitators bring a balanced blend of strategic insight and youthful perspective to the Dialogue, which is characteristic of the University’s commitment to intergenerational engagement and thought leadership.
Among the highlights of the event is former President Thabo Mbeki’s keynote reflections that seek to make sense of the National Dialogue and the ongoing conversation, with Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa’s opening remarks anchored in a collective imagination of the future.
Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG) Chairperson, Dr Percy Mahlathi, is set to offer a comprehensive framing of conversation, alongside the Deputy Chair of the Legacy Foundation’s National Dialogue Preparatory Committee, Ms Lindiwe Gadd.
The first panel discussion, themed Universities’ Perspectives, will bring together leading voices from the province’s universities to share insights on the role of higher education in shaping a new societal vision.
Contributing to this session are Rhodes University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor ‘Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela; Mandela University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Azwinndini Muronga; Walter Sisulu University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Margaret Linington, and Mandela University’s SRC president, Lathitha Mbuzwana. The discussion will be moderated by Dr Ongama Mtimka, the Director of the Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership at Mandela University.
This will be followed by a session focusing on the TVET Colleges’ Perspectives, moderated by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Mandela University Professor Pamela Maseko, highlighting contributions from the province’s technical and vocational education sector.
Speakers include the Principal of King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College, Mqondisi Bhikisha; Ikhala TVET College lecturer, Avela Tshambu; Projects Manager at Ingwe TVET College, Lwazi Matetela; Port Elizabeth TVET College lecturer, Dr Sindiswa Gwaxula, and Ikhala TVET College SRC president, Bongani Chabedi.
The third session, Reflections by Key Stakeholders, will feature leaders from across the province’s education, economic and labour sectors, reflecting on how stronger partnerships can advance transformation and development. It will be moderated by the Director of the University’s Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD), Professor Bheki Mngomezulu.
Among those contributing are Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC) chief executive, Luvuyo Mosana; president of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Xolani Tom; NEHAWU’s provincial deputy secretary, Mr Samkelo Msila, and East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) chief executive, Tembela Zweli.
Mandela University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for People and Operations, Luthando Jack, will present a convening team framework, outlining the way forward for this provincial contribution to the national process.
The programme concludes with reflections from Senior Director for Strategic Resource Mobilisation and Advancement, Dr Denver Webb; Local Economic Development Activist, Nhlanganiso Dladla, and Senior Director for Communication and Marketing, Dr Luzuko Jacobs.
Citizens of the Eastern Cape are particularly encouraged to follow proceedings via livestream on the University’s YouTube Channel and share comments and inputs, which will be considered as part of the Dialogue discussions and final report.