Registrars: South Africa public universities
These were among the key discussions at the recent 2026 Universities South Africa (USAf) Registrars’ Imbizo from 27 to 28 August 2026, hosted by Mandela University and bringing together Registrars from South Africa’s 26 public universities for a significant national higher education engagement.
The increasingly strategic position of the Registrar was in the spotlight as the role has evolved significantly from its traditional function. It now extends beyond regulatory and operational oversight to require strategic judgement, foresight, institutional stewardship and the ability to convene and influence across institutional boundaries in support of resilient and responsive universities.
Convened under the theme “Co-creating a Resilient Future: From Compliance to Collaboration - Registrars as Catalysts of Institutional Resilience,” the Imbizo provided a strategic platform for university Registrars to engage on shared challenges, emerging risks and opportunities, and the evolving role of the Registrar in strengthening institutional resilience.
The engagement was formally opened by Mandela University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sibongile Muthwa, and included senior representatives from Universities South Africa (USAf) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). These included Professor Thandi Lewin, Deputy Director-General: University Education Branch. Professor Cheryl Foxcroft, Project Leader for the USAf Admissions Committee’s Review of Admissions Practices, also provided an update on the project.
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Passing the torch: MandelaUni Registrar, Edgar De Koker, hands over the scroll to the CUT Registrar, Dr Sally Dzingwa, symbolising the official handover of the USAf 2027 Registrars’ Imbizo to its next host.
The Imbizo further emphasised the value of universities increasingly complementing, rather than competing with one another. This included strengthening collaboration between universities and TVET colleges, developing more responsive pathways for prospective students.
It also ensures that technological advancement, particularly AI-driven systems remain grounded in sound policy, institutional governance and the human realities of those our universities serve.
For Mandela University, hosting the country’s public universities Registrars was both an institutional privilege and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to conversations shaping the future of South African higher education, Mandela University’s Registrar Edgar De Koker said.
“Our contribution must extend beyond hosting important conversations to helping build stronger relationships, stronger institutions and practical responses to the shared challenges facing our sector.”