The Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures has played a pivotal role in enabling this performance, positioning the University as a committed contributor to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforcing its strategic direction as a university in service of society.
The 2025 Impact Rankings assessed 2 318 universities across 130 countries and territories, measuring performance in research, stewardship, teaching, and outreach related to the 17 SDGs. Mandela University ranked in the 1 001–1 500 global bracket, with strong gains in environmental and health-related goals.
“The rankings serve not only as a global benchmarking tool but also as a strategic lens through which we evaluate our societal relevance. They provide insight into how we can better embed sustainability in the university’s DNA,” said Dr Yonela Zifikile Njisane, Manager of Research at the Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures.
Since joining the rankings in 2021, the university has steadily built its submission base, and the 2025 edition marks the most extensive to date, with performance evidence submitted against 11 SDGs. This reflects not just increasing competitiveness, but also Mandela University’s maturing capacity to demonstrate its contributions to sustainability.
“This evolving trajectory reveals areas of institutional strength and opportunities for growth. Our improved performance is a reflection of collaboration across faculties, researchers and support units,” said Dr Palesa Mothapo, Director of Research Support and Management.
Key achievements in 2025 include:
Second nationally for SDG 14: Life Below Water, scoring 68.6/100, highlighting the impact of the university’s ocean sciences and marine research portfolio.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, scoring 52.9/100, ranked third in South Africa.
SDG 15: Life on Land, improved from 46.4 to 52.5.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, increased from 39.4 to 42.9.
These results underscore the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and public health, areas deeply relevant to the region and the continent.
The Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures serves as the University’s central platform for advancing transdisciplinary sustainability work. It not only supports institutional reporting and coordination of SDG-related efforts but also envisions Nelson Mandela University as a global partner and African leader in sustainability science.
“Our aim is to integrate systems thinking and long-term sustainability across teaching, research, innovation and operations,” said Dr Njisane. “The rankings validate these efforts and help us focus on strategic improvements.”
Despite limited data in certain areas such as carbon neutrality commitments, waste reuse, and industry research income, the University’s performance exceeded the global median in six SDGs, including gender equality, clean water, innovation, life on land, life below water and global partnerships.
As the number of institutions participating in the Impact Rankings increases annually, Nelson Mandela University remains committed to refining its sustainability practices, strengthening institutional reporting and nurturing research that advances inclusive and transformative development.
The top university for sustainability, for the fourth consecutive year, was Western Sydney University in Australia. In South Africa, the University of Cape Town was ranked first, and Wits second.
Within South Africa, Nelson Mandela was in joint ninth position with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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