News

​It was touch-and-go for a while but Madibaz Football Club have made history by becoming the first team from Nelson Mandela University’s George campus to play in the Safa Eden Regional Men’s League.

The Madibaz Rowing Club will strive to back up its recent growth in personnel with strong performances at the Universities Boat Race in Port Alfred this week.

The Madibaz showed precision decision-making and composure under pressure to register their first win in the Varsity Netball tournament against University of Western Cape in Johannesburg at the weekend.

‘Democracy is more than just elections’ was the topic of the Dr Brigalia Bam Inaugural Institutional Public Lecture held at Nelson Mandela University’s South Campus Auditorium on 25 August 2023.

While the results may not have gone their way in the first round of the Varsity Netball tournament, the SPAR Madibaz are far from done.

Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Alethea de Villiers has recently been promoted to be the first Black woman as full professor in Music in South Africa.

It was an all over celebration for learners, educators and principals, sponsors, and University staff, when STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics) in ACTION, on Missionvale Campus invited their stakeholders to a recent event, showcasing their activities.

With up to 80% of South Africans choosing indigenous healers and plants over mainstream medicine, local health knowledge is a rich resource that fills a critical gap in the country’s overstretched healthcare system.

Nelson Mandela University will continue with online classes tomorrow (Wednesday, 16 August) in light of a call for national university shutdown.

Two key decisions taken by NSFAS this semester have impacted beneficiaries at universities, including Nelson Mandela University. These are:

• The implementation of direct payments of allowances to NSFAS beneficiaries and
• The defunding of some students.  

Young Muki Moeng’s first teaching tools were an old car bonnet and a piece of charcoal. After class, to mitigate the effects of disrupted education during the height of apartheid, the Graaff-Reinet teenager started study groups, helping friends to revise their schoolwork.

Leslie Ogundipe asks: “Are African women voiceless or do we fail to look for their voices where we may find them, in the sites and forms which these voices are uttered?”

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: A quartet of SPAR Madibaz netball players were named in the national tertiary squad following eye-catching performances at the University Sports South Africa tournament recently.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz No 1 Warren Bower was rewarded with a silver medal in the men’s individual section after producing his best performance at the annual USSA National squash tournament recently.

A trio of Madibaz student-athletes are closing in on their best condition as they prepare to test themselves against their international peers at the World University Games in a fortnight’s time.

National key role-players in South Africa’s electromobility sector will descend on Nelson Mandela University this week, in celebration of 10 years of the uYilo e-Mobility Programme, hosted within the institutional engagement entity, eNtsa.

Nelson Mandela University and its engagement partners, Tangible Africa and the Leva Foundation are gearing up to host 10 000 youth in a coding tournament, titled #Coding4Mandela on Mandela Day.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Three master’s students and a post-doctorate candidate from Mandela University’s Palaeoecology Lab will present their research at conferences in Rome and Berlin later this month.  

The Madibaz women’s volleyball team will want to carry the momentum of winning the Youth Day tournament into the University Sports South Africa competition, which starts on Sunday.

Even sans a number of key players from last year, the Madibaz netball class of 2023 should have plenty to offer at the University Sports South Africa tournament, which started on Monday.

More than 200 councillors, traditional leaders and municipal employees who took up training under the Department of Building and Human Settlement Development at Nelson Mandela University will be awarded their certificates on Wednesday (05 July 2023) evening.

Nelson Mandela University today (3 July 2023) launched a multi-year global Giving Campaign, to raise R30 million to support four projects, based on empowerment and social redress.

Nelson Mandela University and the University of Oldenburg in Germany are commemorating the 25th anniversary of a productive academic partnership.

The Madibaz women’s hockey team will “play without fear” in the A section of the University Sports South Africa tournament in a bid to back up last year’s performance when they gained promotion.

“I want to play a part in opening avenues for young Africans to rise and take their place on the world stage” says Jackson Tshabalala, 30, from the Leva Foundation, who was named in the Civil Society category of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2023.

Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC) is well-known for their research, development, and engagement work in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University’s Professor Noluxolo Gcaza, 32, from the School of ICT has been announced as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2023.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University’s Dr Zithulele Tshabalala, 35, senior lecturer in human anatomy at the Medical School, has been announced as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2023.

The pressure will be squarely on the Madibaz men’s team to fly the Nelson Mandela University flag at next month’s University Sport South Africa squash tournament.

Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies and DSI-NRF SARChI Chair in African Feminist Imagination will participate in the “Dialogues for Responsible Gender and Queer Studies – Experiences from South of Africa and Germany” Summer School from 23 to 24 June at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Senior lecturer in biokinetics at Nelson Mandela University’s Human Movement Science department Dr Aayesha Kholvadia recently received the Healthcare Leadership Award from The Alliance of South Africa Independent Practitioners Associations (ASAIPA).

Nelson Mandela University’s campus football league has scored big time after linking up with the MySafa registration platform this year.

In a major boost for automotive industry research, innovation and development, Nelson Mandela University this week launched a new AIDC-EC Chair in Automotive Engineering.

Some 3002 learners, mainly in matric, from 57 schools across the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, and their educators, collaborated in a science outreach programme hosted in the Vhembe District by Nelson Mandela University and the University of Venda (UNIVEN) from 2 to 5 May 2023.

Master’s student in Environmental Health at Mandela University, Yolanda Mngcongo, has won third prize at the recent South African Falling Walls Lab Science competition with her research on using nanotechnology to curb nosocomial (healthcare-associated) infections.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University PhD in Architecture student Kawthar Jeewa has been selected as one of 50 participants at the first Biennale College Architettura (BCA) 2023 in Venice, Italy.

Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus is reeling from a horrific incident earlier today (6 June 2023), where a male student allegedly stabbed a female student to death at an on-campus residence.

“Time is not on our side. Our learners urgently need access to online education and all the incredible e-resources that should be rolled out to every single school in the country", says Professor Darelle van Greunen, Director of the Centre for Community Technologies (CCT) at Nelson Mandela University.  

Mandela University’s Dr Ayanda Simayi, lecturer in the Faculty of Education, recently presented two teaching models as part of a community engagement project to empower learners to overcome cultural avoidance about menstruation and sexual education at Swartkops Primary School in Gqeberha on 29 May 2023.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Former Surfing South Africa President and Mandela University Labour Law doctoral student and attorney Johnny Bakker from Gqeberha, has recently been elected as Vice-President of the African Surfing Confederation at the AGM, which was held in Dakar, Senegal. His term runs until 2027.

Nelson Mandela University has once again shone at the annual Times Higher Education Impact Ratings, being recognised for some of its research, stewardship, outreach and teaching efforts as aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: PhD Physiology student at Mandela University Itumeleng Zosela is one of four South African students that have been accepted to join the Novartis and University of Basel Next Generation Scientist Internship Program in Switzerland over three months from June to August 2023.

Mandela University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Dr Thandi Mgwebi, urged scientists to take ownership and responsibility as Africans to advance the practice of science diplomacy on the continent, at the recent Open Science, Open Africa event hosted by Future Africa at the University of Pretoria.

“Trying to keep up with such a hectic degree and a demanding sport was exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world”, Madibaz Sport water polo star and Tokyo Olympian, Ashleigh Vaughan, said after graduating with her BPharm degree this autumn.

Mandela University’s engineering engagement institute, eNtsa, has reached an early milestone in the expansion of their facilities to support local companies in manufacturing.

Pollen is one of the most powerful tools for reconstructing environmental change because it is perfectly preserved in sediments for as long as plants have been on Earth.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Architecture graduate Luzuko Funda won the annual national Corobrik Student Architecture Awards, the fourth winner from Mandela University over the past five years keeping the tradition strong.

The theme for this year’s International Museum Day (IMD) on 18 May is “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being”.

Nelson Mandela University 2021/22 Researcher of the Year, Professor Andrew Phiri, from the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, draws on interdisciplinary econometric research to unveil key economic issues.

“Make a difference” was the theme of the annual general institutional meeting of HEITSA Higher Education Information Technology South Africa (HEITSA) that Mandela University recently hosted over two days. HEITSA comprises the Heads of Information Technology from the 26 public universities in the country.

It is hailed as one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, yet a crippling leadership vacuum has nearly reversed all the gains in South Africa’s constitutional democracy almost three decades on.

“One of the central questions for us at the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD) at Nelson Mandela University is how to achieve sustainable societies that are more inclusive and equal. In particular, this requires addressing racial injustice,” says CANRAD Associate Professor, Christi van der Westhuizen.

With a powerful biorefinery to process microalgae as a renewable, health-giving resource, Nelson Mandela University's InnoVenton/DCTS innovates and develops products for the energy, pharmaceutical, agriculture and food sectors.

In May 2023, Nelson Mandela University’s internationally renowned engineering innovation hub, eNtsa, turns 21. Its director, Professor Danie Hattingh, had the vision to launch it and to continuously reimagine it.

A single-minded focus on the process rather than the end result propelled the Madibaz cricket team to the Eastern Province premier league title last month.

Representatives of the Chinese Embassy visited Nelson Mandela University today to explore higher education cooperation. Nelson Mandela University and China’s Zhejiang Normal University signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 and Mandela University’s Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences and the African Institute of Zhejiang Normal University have proposed a think tank cooperation initiative. These efforts will also enhance the educational cooperation between China and South Africa.  

With South Africans spending an average of 10 hours and 46 minutes daily online, compared to the world average of six hours and 48 minutes according to the latest statistics from Hootsuite, this may well be the case.

From spinach bread, a geyser sleeve saving electricity and a culturally aligned eye assessment app for young children to solar panels - inventors and entrepreneurs shared their stories and tips at the local celebration of World Intellectual Property Day hosted at Mandela University on 26 April.

The University’s alternative water supply support plans have gained traction with the successful trial run switch-over to borehole water on three of its Gqeberha campuses.

South Africa is known for its rich biodiversity, attracting tourists from all over the world. However, protecting this precious asset is a complex task, says Lize von Staden, who received her PhD in Botany at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation.

Public education efforts that understand and respect people's cultural diversity, as well as teamwork among traditional and medical professionals, are necessary to cope with mental illnesses and the mentally ill. 

Spurred on by a desire to better manage and cope with a debilitating auto-immune disease, Eldridge van der Westhuizen (46) will receive his PhD in Information Technology this month for his thesis on apomediation.

Gary Koekemoer who graduated with a PhD from Nelson Mandela University on “Race as a complex system: The persistence of race as a primary driver of contemporary social relations and beneficiation” shares his journey with us.

Lara Potgieter joined her sister Liske Hemingway when she graduated recently with her Master’s in Music and Performing Arts cum laude at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation. Both sisters focused on the fairy tale theme in film music for their master’s research.

Forty-three percent of primary school learners in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, showed a risk factor of getting one or more non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Thank you, Nelson Mandela University, for this opportunity and changing my world’, said Robert Gillmer, who is the first in the country to have graduated with a music master’s degree in performance art specialising in contemporary commercial music during Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation.  

When Dr Hlanganani Siphelele Nyembe was a child in Mahujini, a village in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal in the 1990s, he saw Eskom employees installing power lines in his village. It was his dream to work for them.

End-of-life rubber tyres from motor vehicles are a huge waste problem in South Africa. The recycling challenge is to devulcanise (soften) the rubber in these tyres in an eco-friendly manner so that it can be recovered and re-used in new tyres and other products.

The screams of scared children at public dental clinics catapulted a Gqeberha clinical psychologist to embark on critical research about traumatic oral healthcare experiences in young, disadvantaged South Africans – and what we can do about it.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies (CWGS) has been recognised nationally by the Human Science Research Council – Universities South Africa (HRSC-USAf) Humanities and Social Sciences Awards for their scholarly efforts towards social justice.

The success Muslim women experience in the workplace stems from their belief in themselves as well as the organisation’s commitment to enhance their lives by exposing them to and emphasising various career-related interventions.

With the importance of the upcoming FNB Varsity Cup promotion match on their minds, the Madibaz stuck to the preparation plan that has served them so well in the Varsity Shield competition this season.

As graduates of an institution that strives to be in the service of society, Nelson Mandela University alumni are expected to display social consciousness and responsible citizenship wherever they go, and in whatever they do.

Balancing rugby and study commitments was no real hardship for Nelson Mandela University student Siphelo Sanyinyi. After all, the Madibaz first team player had already overcome far greater obstacles in his young life.

More than 7 000 students, including 53 doctoral recipients, are set to be capped over 19 ceremonies during Nelson Mandela University’s Gqeberha graduation, from tomorrow (13 April 2023).

Diabetes and obesity can be successfully treated with cannabis but only if the correct dosage for the individual patient is used. This is one of the crucial findings of a doctoral degree study at Nelson Mandela University. 

Language lives; it is constantly changing and it fascinates me", says Jadé Blume, who will receive her DLitt in Afrikaans on Afrikaans Fishersman’s language at Nelson Mandela University's autumn graduation ceremony in Gqeberha.

Nelson Mandela University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) renewing their commitment to a mutually beneficial and equitable partnership, which will advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Nelson Mandela University is all set to continue its Autumn Graduation season with the capping of more than 7500 students, including 49 doctoral recipients, in 19 ceremonies from 13 to 26 April.

The FNB Madibaz will have a shot at redemption when they meet Cape Peninsula University of Technology at home in the semi-finals of the FNB Varsity Shield on Thursday.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University accounting graduates achieved an overall 93% pass rate in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Test of Competence (ITC).

At the age of 26, Gabriella Berman is the youngest PhD graduate in Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences since the merger in 2005.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor of Development Studies at Nelson Mandela University. Professor Janet Cherry received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Rhodes University at its graduation ceremony on 30 March.

Africa is losing an estimated US$25billion per year to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing run by organised crime syndicates.

A good dose of mental strength pushed FNB Madibaz hooker Keaton Olivier to the Player that Rocks performance in last week’s FNB Varsity Shield encounter against the University of Fort Hare.

Nelson Mandela University hosted the official national launch of the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) social media charter last week.

In a game like rugby with its massive emphasis on physicality, FNB Madibaz centre Troy Delport has taught himself to tackle those sorts of challenges head-on.

Nelson Mandela University honoured a selection of its most successful graduates at the institution’s annual Alumni Awards ceremony last night (23 March 2023) at the Madibaz Sport Centre, on South Campus.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Emeritus professor in the School of Information Technology at Nelson Mandela University, Prof Rossouw von Solms, has been ranked by Research.com as the 4^th best scientist in South Africa for 2022 in the field of Computer Science.

Discoveries of aquifers – underground earth formations that hold water – often create excitement around their ability to ease water scarcity in a region.

With spiralling costs, loadshedding and a worldwide push for transforming energy systems, consumers are the losers – so empowering them to become part of the solution is key.

A Madibaz squad brimming with fresh talent will face their first test when the annual SPAR Madibaz Netball Tournament takes place in Gqeberha on March 18 and 19.

Nelson Mandela University’s Music and Performing Arts Department is hosting the first ever in-person South African Strings Convention 2023 from 17 to 20 March in collaboration with the South African Strings Foundation (SASF). 

Nelson Mandela University received a 22-seater bus as a donation from Bestmed Medical Scheme on Friday, 10 March 2023.

With a passion for rugby always part of his make-up, FNB Madibaz rugby player Kehan Myburgh used the disruptive nature of the Covid pandemic as a catalyst to take his game to another level.

Warren Bower became the first Gqeberha-based Madibaz student to win the Madibaz Open men’s squash title when he defeated teammate Siphelele Mpini in a gruelling final at the university’s South Campus on Sunday.

Eastern Province Closed squash champions Hayley Ward and Dean Venter will headline the field when the Madibaz Open takes place at the Nelson Mandela University’s South Campus from Friday to Sunday.

The United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is warning in its Annual Report 2022 that legalising the non-medical use of cannabis, which contravenes the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, “seems to result in higher consumption and a lower perception of risk, especially among young people”.

Madibaz sprinter Luxolo Adams, who announced himself to the world when he won the Paris Diamond League 200m last year, will headline the Eastern Province Athletics Championships in Gqeberha tomorrow and Saturday.

Nelson Mandela University has made considerable strides in addressing the myriad of challenges raised by students in the past few weeks.

Trusting his instincts is the smoking gun in Yolisa Dladla’s arsenal of weaponry and it is paying off handsomely as he continues to impress in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield rugby tournament.

Journalists and scientists often speak at cross purposes – even a “different language”. Are there ways for them to understand each other better in the interests of the public good?

Nelson Mandela University has partnered with Alumni-in-Action (A-i-A), an initiative whose mission is to enable access to advanced mental health support for student survivors of Gender-Based-Violence (GBV).

Nelson Mandela University is excitedly gearing up to host its in-person Open Day weekends in Gqeberha and George this month. This is for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown period.

A team of matric boys from Port Rex Technical High School in East London sailed home with R10,000 in cash and a pirate’s chest of other treasure, during the weekend’s inaugural Nelson Mandela University Solar Boat Competition in Gqeberha on Saturday, 4 March.  

Nelson Mandela University is aware of the statement issued by DASO today, in which they expressed their intention to convene a student sit-in and to block the entrance to Embizweni Building on South Campus tomorrow morning.

The bruising nature of the FNB Varsity Shield has proved to be a steep learning curve for FNB Madibaz’s Mpumelelo Mavuso who, fortunately, is a fast learner.

A Nelson Mandela University professor has been selected as one of two African mentors for an elite global mentorship programme.

As Nelson Mandela Metro is in the grip of a severe drought with water supply disruptions now commonplace, the possibility of waterborne disease outbreaks is becoming increasingly real.

Did you know that Africa is home to some of the world’s earliest mathematical systems? Apart from the sophisticated maths that went into building Egypt’s pyramids, artefacts found across the continent indicate that ancient African civilizations were using maths in their daily lives. 

Lectures got off to a good start at Nelson Mandela University yesterday morning, with staff working on implementing and fast-tracking Management’s resolutions on the issues raised by the Student Representative Council (SRC).

On Monday, 20 February 2023, the University community was met with a blockade of the entrances to the North, South, and George campuses by students protesting, among other things, about a funding shortfall and unfunded accommodation needs.

This week has seen a series of engagements between student leadership and Nelson Mandela University Management, in a bid to address the various concerns raised by the Student Representative Council (SRC) on the back of Monday’s protest action.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Second-year Inventory and Stores Management Diploma student at Mandela University, Sinalo Matwa, will participate in the 2023 Boccia National Championships as part of the Eastern Cape team.

The Nelson Mandela University Executive Committee of Senate (ECS) met this morning, 22 February 2023, to discuss several institutional issues, including a request from the Student Representative Council (SRC) to postpone the commencement of lectures by two weeks.

Legendary artists Lizo Pemba and Dolla Sapeta have teamed up to share the craft of their art as part of the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) capacity building workshop series.

The past few days have seen Nelson Mandela University Management engaging the Student Representative Council (SRC) on several issues that led to protest action at its Gqeberha and George campuses yesterday.

In 2013, the National Youth Development Fund (NYDA) shifted from supporting prospective entrepreneurs through loans to grant funding as a means to stimulate economic activity and reduce youth unemployment.

As we celebrate International Tourist Guide Day today (21 February), we tend to forget about the legislative framework that underpins the work associated with guiding tourists.

This afternoon, MANCO met to discuss the causes and effects of today's protest, which disrupted lectures and university operations.

Members of the Nelson Mandela University management committee have engaged the Student Representative Council (SRC) at its Gqeberha and George campuses over a series of issues raised by students who embarked on protest action this morning.

As the drought in Nelson Mandela Bay worsens, we are plagued by water-related questions. Carla Dodd is a PhD candidate in the Geosciences Department at the Nelson Mandela University and is currently working on answering some of these questions.

The Nelson Mandela University community is advised that protesting students have blocked the North and South campus gates, as well as George Campus, preventing lectures and operations from continuing this morning.

Students who have not been able to finalise their registration due to reasons beyond their control can follow the late registration process.

As a leading institution of higher education and the only one in the world named after Nelson Mandela, we welcome our new students on campus when classes start on Monday, 20 February 2023.

Nelson Mandela University’s economics lecturer, Dr Asanda Fotoyi, will present findings of her ground-breaking doctoral thesis into the National Youth Development Agency’s (NYDA) grant funding in the Eastern Cape.

FNB Madibaz rugby captain Arnouw Nel has firmly rejected any thoughts of complacency as his team gear up for their opening FNB Varsity Shield match in Gqeberha on Thursday.

Through science we are looking at the future and contributing positively to the protection of our complex natural environment and physical systems for the benefit of all life, including humankind.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Geosciences postgraduate student, Bamanye Takashe, was instrumental in guiding two high school learners to winning medals at the prestigious Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) held recently. 

Nelson Mandela University aspires to actively promote extensive and ongoing engagement and collaboration with relevant educational partners internationally to enhance its scientific, socio-economic and policy impact.

Nelson Mandela University’s FishFORCE Academy recently introduced a virtual law enforcement game to assist law enforcement officers in the fisheries crime environment. The game is mobile-based and available on all smartphones.

Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sibongile Muthwa, assured first year students and their guardians that the institution was well on track to receive students for the 2023 academic year and to render the necessary support to make their academic careers a success.

World Wetlands Day is commemorated on 2 February and the theme for this year is restoration and the urgent need to prioritise degraded wetlands that need revival.

FNB Madibaz rugby coach David Manuel and his players are primed to embark on a journey of redemption as they prepare for this month’s FNB Varsity Shield competition.

Science lecturer in Mandela University’s Education Faculty Dr Asanda Simayi, believes in science education linked to cultural practices and indigenous knowledge to make a difference to societal challenges.

As Nelson Mandela University gears up for the start of the 2023 academic year, several systems and processes have been put in place towards ensuring a smooth admissions and registration process.

Vuyani Chipunza never expected to become a maths and science celebrity, but these days he is stopped in the streets by learners asking if he is “that Vuyani from Yebo Tutor”.

As Nelson Mandela University gears up for the start of the new academic year, thousands of first year students, and their guardians, are expected to attend the official welcoming to be addressed by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sibongile Muthwa, on Saturday (04 February 2023).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Postgraduate student in Economics, Nonenelo Vuba, has been selected as one of the 20 finalists in the 51st Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition.

Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre recently participated in an international conference and co-hosted a national congress on Maths and Science Education.

A new research chair in nanomedicine – the DSI-Mandela Nanomedicine Platform – was launched in the Faculty of Health Sciences last year as part of the Nelson Mandela University Medical School.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Matthew Perry, a final year Bachelor of Music student, has been selected as one of eight performers to take part in the 2023 Youth Concerto Festival hosted by the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Alumnus and former staff member, Curwyn Mapaling, has been selected as one of 150 participants worldwide, to attend the Global Peace Summit in Kenya next month.

The University is saddened to hear of the passing of one of its Honorary Doctorate recipients, Professor Dorcas Nompumelelo Jafta.

Efforts to improve Nelson Mandela University’s self-reliance on alternative water supplies continues apace across each of its campuses as the water situation deteriorates in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

Marine ecosystems have a valuable role to play in mitigating the effects of climate change.

The University is saddened to hear of the passing of one of its former Chancellors, Dr Frene Ginwala. 

A Gqeberha educator is hoping to find solutions for student teachers faced with the difficulty of teaching a tough subject to young pupils in isiXhosa.

Dr Ngcali Tile’s journey from a rural village childhood to pioneering nanotechnology research has been a challenging one – but his determination to succeed in this cutting-edge field is rooted in an appreciation of life beyond electronics. 

A love of nature and a passion for teaching have inspired a Nelson Mandela University academic’s mission to educate young children about the importance of creating a sustainable living environment.

The Council of Nelson Mandela University has noted the reports of the murder of Mr Mboneli Vesele, executive protection officer to Prof. Sakhela Buhlungu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, in what is reportedly, an attempted assassination of the Vice-Chancellor of a sister university in the Eastern Cape on Friday night, 6 January 2023.

Despite numerous personal hurdles to overcome, Zimbabwean student Tariro Shumba, graduated with her MCom in Marketing (cum laude) at Mandela University’s Summer Graduation on 12 December.

A burst of scoring in a group match against Botswana turned out to be the catalyst for the South African U19 netball team to claim gold at the Region V Games in Lilongwe, Malawi, recently.

Nelson Mandela University Post Doctorate Research Fellow Dr Godfred Anakpo is under no illusions about the economic challenges facing South Africa, but believes that through the development of evidence-based frameworks, plans can be formulated to address them effectively.

"The impact of scarce resources in South Africa continues to be a hot topic within state and social circles. The spotlight, however, rarely shines on the alarming 0.2 percent of South Africans registered as organ donors leaving those in need of a lifesaving organ transplant with only a wish and a prayer. Does religion play a role?

Growing up without a father, Eastern Cape education expert Obakeng Kagola recognised the importance of male role models in early childhood and has dedicated his career to creating equitable space for them in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: BCom Financial Planning student from Nelson Mandela University Yonela Peter has been selected by the DHL GradStar Awards 2022 as one of the Top Ten most employable full-time students in the country.

Yusuf Adam, project manager at Nelson Mandela University’s Ocean Sciences Campus, graduated with a doctorate in Business Administration at the University’s Summer Graduation, with his research in line with the University’s emphasis on sustainable stewardship and the ocean sciences.

The internationally acclaimed Nelson Mandela University Choir is set to continue inspiring audiences around the globe as the headline act for this year’s Isisusa Festival on Wednesday, 13 December at 7pm.

The class of 2022 BSc Honours in Formulation Students showed their mettle at their recent year-end showcase, presenting the products that they have formulated during their year in the programme.

The doctoral research of Nelson Mandela University’s Economics lecturer Asanda Fotoyi focused on the economic impact assessment of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)’s grant funding in the Eastern Cape. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Master’s student in Mathematics, Ruan Olivier (26) has won the prestigious S2A3 (Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science) Medal for the best masters in 2021 in science.

Under the umbrella of celebrating excellence, Nelson Mandela University recognised its top academic, professional, administrative and service staff in the categories of research, teaching, engagement, creative outputs and institutional support on 28 November.

The excellence of 22 top students and graduates were recognised at Nelson Mandela University’s annual student Academic Awards ceremony on 28 November 2022 together with the VC’s Excellence Awards for staff. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Finding ways to treat diabetes using indigenous knowledge about natural remedies has won Dr Nehemiah Latolla of Nelson Mandela University the top place in the FameLab International science communication competition.

Three speakers from Brazil as well as participants from Chile, Finland, France, Latvia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, China and Austria formed part of a webinar at Mandela University’s Forestry Department.

The Occupational Health Services team has done Nelson Mandela University proud receiving a 92 percent score for a professional occupational health-related audit of their operations, systems and service undertaken during the current academic year.

‘Active Healthy Children in Marginalised Communities: Challenges, Achievements, and Vision for the Future’ was the topic of a public lecture by Honorary Professor Uwe Pühse, Professor of Sport Science at the University of Basel, Switzerland, and Director of the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health. The lecture was hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Ten outstanding young graduates from Southern Africa have been announced as the Rhodes Scholars-Elect for 2023. 

Mandela University’s disability services has received a boost to its support service for differently abled students with purchase of new specialised vehicle.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University’s Centre for Community Technologies (CCT) has won the @OutSystems Innovation Award for Social Impact with their C-Vive application.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Tangible Africa, a local organisation that spreads offline coding skills to primary and high school learners across the continent, has received a prestigious accolade from the African Union.

The continued development of the national men’s hockey team was on the mind of Nelson Mandela University’s Cheslyn Gie after being named interim head coach last week.

Nelson Mandela University has made good progress in implementing alternative water sources to ensure the institution can be less reliant on municipal supplies.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Alex Ennis, a master’s student in Human Movement Science, has bee selected to participate at the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in Namibia.

From being a business studies drop-out to sharing the stage with a Business School professor, hospitality entrepreneur Tenjiwe Francine Zana’s career has seen her swop broom for boardroom.

Nelson Mandela University’s Departments of Human Movement Science and Architecture, together with Mandela University alumnus and architect Jacques Theron from the company Werk, have completed enhancements to playground and ablution facilities at two under-resourced schools in Gqeberha.

Interim Director for the Centre for Women and Gender Studies Dr Babalwa Magoqwana introduced Day three of Nelson Mandela University Research Week programme, highlighting the theme of research and innovation for global impact.  

The first day of the inaugural Nelson Mandela University Research Week focused on creating equity and inclusivity in research programmes.

The systematic erasure of African knowledge has stripped society of values and world views that need to be reawakened through our universities. This is an important undertaking in revitalising the humanities at Mandela University. Heather Dugmore reports.

Leading scholars, activists, and higher education practitioners from across the world, and Africa in particular, have gathered at Nelson Mandela University for the first of the three-day Advancing Critical University Studies Across Africa (ACUSAfrica) network’s 2022 colloquium.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies recently announced the 25 prize winners in its third, annual online poster event, with Mandela Uni’s Dr Nehemiah Latolla being selected as a winner.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Medical School senior lecturer Dr Savania Nagiah, was recently inaugurated as one of 10 of the country’s leading emerging scientists to become members of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).

The South African Revenue Services (SARS) will hand over its new multilingual booklets to Nelson Mandela University, as part of the final leg of its efforts to popularise its tax terms in previously marginalised languages.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Sarah Baartman Junior Residence book club members recently participated in the 2022 Funda Mzantsi championship and were placed 2^nd place in the Xitsonga debate section.

Mandela University’s Mechatronics department - in collaboration with Siemens South Africa - recently assisted two TVET colleges with 20 commissioned stations for the training of educators and students to learn industrial control programming principles.

“The dream team is from South Africa, trained in our country, in our universities, in our schools, with our products.” – Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.

Diabetes is the second leading cause of death due to disease in SA, after tuberculosis. Finding ways to treat diabetes using indigenous knowledge about natural remedies has won Dr NehemiahLatolla of Nelson Mandela University a place on the world stage of science communicators.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Alumnus and Executive Director of the SA Cultural Observatory, based at the University, Unathi Lutshaba, has been honoured as one of the worlds’ Most Influential People of African Descent by the United Nations.

Nelson Mandela University is excited to announce that it will be hosting a series of graduation recognition ceremonies for the 2020 and 2021 graduates who graduated in absentia and virtually due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of marine scientists from all over the world gathered at Nelson Mandela University this week for an international workshop that sought to explore the potential role of atmospheric deposition in driving ocean productivity in the Southwest Indian Ocean.

Long-serving Bianca Blom rode a wave of emotion as she ended her career with the SPAR Madibaz on a high by being named player of the match in a Varsity Netball encounter on Monday.

Enlightening. Empowering. Transformative. Fulfilling. Humbling. Spiritual. Reviving. These were some of the words used by teachers to describe their profession during an appreciation luncheon hosted by Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Education in celebration of World Teachers’ Day on Wednesday (05 October 2022).

“Mathematics the language of the sciences” was the theme for the fifth annual National MathArt Competition organised by Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC).

To promote participation in the employment sector in the city, an education initiative of Nelson Mandela University and the Eastcape Training Centre (ETC) culminated in an awards ceremony at the University's Business School in Summerstrand last week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela Uni second-year Education student, Kenan Davids has won the first prize of R50 000 in a short film competition for students under the theme of “the beauty of the Dutch language”. 

What’s in a name? For Nelson Mandela University, the only higher education institution in the world to carry the name of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, it means a commitment to the great statesman’s values – and more.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: PhD in Anthropology student at Nelson Mandela University, Mzoli Mavimbela, was recently awarded a Via Afrika award for African Language Creative Writing. 

Student teachers need to be exposed to a curriculum that includes indigenous knowledge in order to develop into multiculturally conscious educators.

Mandela Uni’s Mechatronics department recently assisted three lecturers from the Takoradi Technical University in Ghana with a train-the-trainer course enabling them to educate the youth in Ghana on cutting edge, real-world, Siemens industrial technology.

Tyler Nevin of Gqeberha and the Rhodes A team emerged with the major accolades from the Madibaz Chess Festival held at Nelson Mandela University this weekend.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University’s Communication and Marketing Department bagged an international Digital Communication Award (DCA2022), coming in third place in the “small budget campaign” category for its Autumn Graduation online campaign.

One of the highlights of the 15th edition of the Mandela/FIFA/CIES Executive Sport Management programme block week was the presentation of former Senegal women’s basketball league player and FIFA consultant, Fatou-Binetou Ba.

Substance abuse remains one of the biggest challenges affecting our communities and a concerted effort is being made to address this social ill in the Eastern Cape, in general, and Gqeberha, in particular.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The Southern African Wildlife Management Association recently awarded its prestigious “Wildlife Excellence Award” to Nelson Mandela University’s Prof Graham Kerley of the Zoology Department and Director of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology.

SPAR Madibaz netball coach Lana Krige wants her senior players to set the tone when the demanding Varsity Netball competition gets underway in Pretoria this weekend.

Congratulations to the 11 winners of The 2022 Herald/Nelson Mandela University Citizens of the Year Awards, who were celebrated at a gala function on Friday, 9 September.

Professor Nadine Strydom stumbled upon a novel way to tackle the problem of collapsing coastal fishes populations, thanks to a radio show and a red traffic light.

Nelson Mandela University will host the 12^th Steve Biko Annual Public Lecture with an international multi-lingual educator and genocide survivor as the speaker at the South Campus Auditorium on 12 September at 18:00.

Digital transformation has great potential to enhance the development of a critical mass of researchers at African universities and to help build academic and research communities on the continent, linking them to researchers and institutions in other parts of the world.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Distinguished Professor in Information Technology and Director of the Centre for Community Technologies Professor Darelle van Greunen and Economics’ Professor Syden Mishi respectively have both won awards at the prestigious NRF Awards Ceremony.

Nelson Mandela University will relaunch its Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership with a public lecture headlined by the institution’s Chancellor, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.

Madibaz captain Leon van der Merwe said they would have to capitalise fully on any opportunities when they take on the formidable Progress outfit in the Eastern Province Grand Challenge rugby final on Saturday.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Distinguished Professor in Pharmacy and Leader of the Drug Utilisation Research Unit (DURU) at Nelson Mandela University Professor Ilse Truter has received the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology’s (ISPE) Judith K. Jones Award for Impact on Public Health through Pharmacoepidemiology.

Created in 2019, the 25th anniversary of President Nelson Mandela's inaugural address, the Attached to the Soil project began with a series of 50 photographic portrait tableaus by the American photographer and Michigan State University Professor of Art, Peter Glendinning.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Scrambling to connect with thousands of young South Africans under harsh lockdown restrictions, Nelson Mandela University’s tossing of traditional student recruitment rules was a gamble that paid off.

All of our lives are increasingly impacted by global sustainability challenges. We are living in a historical time in which the world labours under multiple pandemics, including leadership crises, poverty, inequality, hunger, environmental degradation, racism and other forms of discrimination. Not least of these is the widespread pathologizing of all that is Africa and African.

“Let’s Hear Them Speak” is the title of the upcoming Joint Public Lecture in honour of Dr Phyllis Ntantala and Prudence Mabele, co-hosted by Nelson Mandela University and the University of Fort Hare on the 25^th of August 2022 in Gqeberha.

Linda van Oudheusden  is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: National performance and multimedia artist and Visual Arts honours student Luke Rudman is Nelson Mandela University’s Abe Bailey travel bursary winner and representative for 2022.

Third-year Journalism Diploma student Ayanda Mhlambiso, 32, from Nelson Mandela University was the tertiary article winner of The Herald newspaper’s Youth Supplement 2022.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management student, Fion Mfenqa from Nelson Mandela University, was selected as one of six young people representing South Africa at a YMCA Training Workshop in Cameroon and an International Camp hosted by Cameroon YMCA.  

Two of the province’s top institutions, Nelson Mandela University and Fort Hare University, instilled the importance of keeping the legacy of liberation hero Sizwe Kondile alive at the late ANC stalwart’s memorial lecture on 29 July.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz hockey star Kamva Dyakala will strive to take his game to the next level after being selected for the South African U21 team to play in next month’s men’s interprovincial.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The Mandela University Green Campus Initiative (GCI) team were voted the “most creative” at the 9^th Green Campus Conference hosted by the University of Pretoria earlier this month.

What is the role of Physics in society?” This question was tabled at this year’s annual conference of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP 2022), which Nelson Mandela University's Physics department hosted earlier this month.

The addition of herbal teas to a healthy lifestyle could well add a few more good years to your life says Nelson Mandela University cellular biochemist, Professor Maryna van de Venter.

Planting trees, nurturing gardens, cleaning the environment, supporting others and ultimately building relations towards addressing many challenges are all part of the institution’s efforts during Mandela Month.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Versatile Gqeberha rugby player Kyle Cyster was named player of the tournament in Division A at the recent University Sport South Africa week but acknowledged the role of his teammates in earning that accolade.

As the 6^th annual Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Lekgotla commenced this week, Nelson Mandela University’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor André Keet, highlighted the importance of the conference in creating a space in the world of business where transformative solutions to pressing challenges confronting the marginalized groups in our society can be addressed.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Lecturer in Chemistry at Mandela University, Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva, has won the best, in-person speaker award at the 14th Green Chemistry Postgraduate Summer School (GCPSS) in Venice, Italy.

Good, philosophical living needs a sense of humour – emotional, intellectual, and ethical. So, if we think of philosophy as a way of life, we should be thinking about how to train ourselves in humour and how to develop and refine our sense of humour. 

Nelson Mandela University, in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, is gearing up to kickstart the series of activities in commemoration of the birth month of the man after whom both institutions are named.

Mandela University’s Dr Magda Minguzzi from the School of Architecture was recently invited to present her documentary co-authored with the First Indigenous Peoples of South Africa leaders at Iuav University in Venice, Italy.

Nelson Mandela University’s Advanced Mechatronic Training Centre (AMTC) recently sponsored the revamping of a life-size fibre-glass rhino and its trolley for the One Land Love It (OLLI) conservation and education non-profit company.

A group of postgraduate students from the Botany Department are currently in Spain participating in a Palaeoecology Workshop at the University of León.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz field athlete Ischke Senekal will rely on more than a decade of international experience when she makes her debut at the World Athletics Championships next week.

Any organism out of place from its natural environment will always intrigue an ecologist. In the Tabasco region of Mexico at least 131 species of plants that normally occur at the coast were recently discovered in an inland lake 170 km from the sea. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz sprinters Shirley Nekhubui and Luxolo Adams have been named in the South African team to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, from July 28 to August 8.

Nelson Mandela University’s School of Engineering recently supported ocean research with airborne drones and a kite borne surveillance system to study marine mammals up close - not possible from the research ship.

Two Nelson Mandela University graduates intend using their new innovative agriculture skills in the rural Eastern Cape communities where they grew up, to assist with food security in a resourcescarce region.

A delegation from the University of Sussex, which is in South Africa to continue talks around a national programme of collaboration around research, capacity building and joint Masters and PhDs programmes, visited Nelson Mandela University to explore areas of mutual interest.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Chemistry lecturer, Dr Gletwyn Rubidge, once again took top honours at the SA Pool Freediving Nationals held in Gqeberha last month.

Marine Spatial Planning research at Nelson Mandela University is continuing to make waves with new research including the impacts of the pandemic on coastal tourism.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz chess prodigy Gerald Wagner is burning the candle at both ends to prepare for battle against the best international players at the World University Championships in September.

Developing students and building research opportunities for staff and students are the result of a successful Erasmus Plus project that Nelson Mandela University’s Marine Engineering Department has been involved in together with five other higher education institutions.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: BSc Honours in Botany student Marishka Govender, has been selected as one of 20 young scientists to attend a Science Communication conference in Germany this July.

South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) was designed to prevent our private data being used unlawfully. But how much protection do we really have?

Attorney and esteemed academic, Professor Deon Erasmus, who was inaugurated as full professor in the Faculty of Law at Nelson Mandela University last year, cautions that justice must be adhered to.

The entire issue of prospecting or production for oil, gas or any other substance in the little understood marine environment has to start with how to safeguard it against potential damage.

Five students from the 2020 edition of the Mandela/FIFA/CIES Executive Sport Management Programme at Nelson Mandela University, finally got to travel to Switzerland as winners of the 2020 FIFA/CIES International Network Research Competition.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: PhD in Physiology student Itumeleng Zosela has been accepted to join the Next Generation Scientist Programme by Novartis Pharma and the University of Basel, Switzerland.

eSchools are the future – but what’s needed for tech-readiness in government schools is lacking in most provinces. A Nelson Mandela University academic and her team are tackling the problem head-on.

Gqeberha sprinter Luxolo Adams believed that knowing what worked best for him was the catalyst behind his eye-catching performance in the Paris Diamond League athletics meeting last weekend.

The recent rains have given Nelson Mandela Bay, inclusive of Nelson Mandela University’s campuses, a welcome reprieve from Day Zero when the taps run dry.

Nelson Mandela University will host this year’s Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Lekgotla, which is an annual gathering of leaders in the entrepreneurial space in the Higher Education (HE) sector.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Seven local Nelson Mandela University students have been awarded the opportunity to attend the Technische Universitat Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig) International Summer School for German Language and Culture.

In the past, maths and art were always seen as separate disciplines, worlds apart. But when they are studied together, it’s clear there are strong links between the two.

Reasons to be Proud #R2bP: BA student, Sipho Khumalo, recently published his autobiography "Life, Dreams, Thoughts, Experiences and Personality" which is available on Amazon.

Nelson Mandela University will be aligning its COVID-19 standard operating procedures on its seven campuses in Gqeberha and George in line with the new national directives.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Media and Communication graduate and E-Technologist in the Learning & Teaching Collab department at the University, Simon Venter, has been selected as one of four artists to take part in this year's Nando's Creative Exchange.

The first-ever Unplugged Coding Competition for primary school coding clubs in Nelson Mandela Bay was hosted on Friday (June 10) at Summerwood Primary School.

It’s been said that the next world war may well be fought over water. Countries are already pulling political pranks to secure inflow from upstream across their borders, while entrepreneurs scramble for first place in the race to offer solutions to a thirsty, embattled Eastern Cape.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Promising Madibaz golfer JP van der Watt is ready to dip his toes into international waters as he prepares for the FISU World University Championship in Turin, Italy, next month.

Mandela University’s Universal Accessibility and Disability Services (UADS) recently hosted a workshop in partnership with Sensory Solutions - a South African company with considerable experience in the field of accommodating persons who are visually impaired (blind or partially sighted). 

Anyone going through a tough spot; read on. Research conducted by Roelf van Niekerk, a clinical and industrial psychologist, and human resources practitioner, is so forward-thinking,  that Nelson Mandela University has awarded him a professorship.

Nelson Mandela University is actively preparing for Day Zero with a series of plans and interventions to ensure that students are able to complete the 2022 Academic Year, starting with basic emergency water support and portable toilets through the forthcoming examination period.

Nelson Mandela University launched its part-time offering of its Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes this week – a move that has been welcomed as boding well with continuing efforts to boost teaching capacity.

The Nelson Mandela University Business School is proud to launch its new Master of Maritime Management (MMM) postgraduate degree.

Cybersecurity researcher Professor Kerry-Lynn Thomson in the School of ICT at Mandela University, shared groundbreaking findings at her inaugural lecture Cybersecurity – Reducing the Attack Surface, held at the University last year.

Nelson Mandela University launched a new offering of part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education programmes at the institution’s North Campus, in Gqeberha, on Monday 6 June 2022.

Nelson Mandela University’s Physics Department recently expanded its already comprehensive range of world-class facilities for semiconductor research and development. From synthesis to characterisation and limited device processing and testing, these facilities are unique in the country and Africa.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Having cut their international teeth at last year’s Olympic Games, Madibaz water polo stars Ashleigh Vaughan and Meghan Maartens know what it will take to leave their mark on the World Aquatics Championships in Hungary in June.

There is much to learn about the wisdom and science of the first indigenous people of southern Africa. A groundbreaking book co-authored by a Nelson Mandela University academic and local Khoisan chiefs is a worthy start.

We have to alert the world to the impending food security, livelihoods and marine ecosystems disaster in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), which extends from South Africa all the way up the east coast of Africa. 

Smart cities could have great impact, but involving every citizen, at every level, is key to ensuring that ‘smart’ means nobody is left behind, according to research by a Nelson Mandela University academic.

Breathing new life into the popular “Say Africa” song by the Nelson Mandela University is set to resonate with new audiences all over again, following its relaunch on Africa Day.

Isuzu Motors South Africa has teamed up with Mandela University’s MobiTutorZA Academy programme to help Grade 12s ace maths.

All staff and students are called to urgently save water as we are just days away from Day Zero, as is captured in this sobering article in the Daily Maverick.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: two Mandela University professors have been recognised by the Institute of Information Technology Professionals of South Africa (IITPSA).

The Marine Robotics Unit has designed a prototype surface autonomous vessel that is currently being tested for operational conditions.

Most of the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Metro and the adjacent Kouga Municipality will soon run out of water.

Leading South African businesswoman Dr Gloria Serobe will set the tone for a critical conversation around ‘value-based leadership’ to be held at Nelson Mandela University on Thursday, 19 May.

Nelson Mandela University’s growing reputation as a leading Ocean Sciences hub was recently recognised with a top place nationally in the Life Below Water category in the international 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Two years ago, Professor Alethea de Villiers, Department of Music and Performing Arts head, clinched one of five coveted international music education research grants. 

Nelson Mandela University’s Council members are encouraging others, especially staff and students at the institution, to get vaccinated soonest.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: George Campus Principal, Dr Kaluke Mawila, was recently appointed to serve as an advisory panel member for the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) for a period of five years.

We have to work out how to share our oceans between a mounting number of stakeholders in a manner that values and conserves our rich marine resources. Professor Mandy Lombard is finding a way, Heather Dugmore reports.

Ocean-loving attorney and master’s student Yonela Ndila is passionate about ocean governance and the law of the sea.

Kahl Kritzinger is the first Mechatronics graduate to also obtain an MSc in Computer Science at Nelson Mandela University, and cum laude to boot!

After escaping captivity and fleeing a village in the Democratic Republic of Congo, walking 6000km to South Africa and starting school at the age of 10 - Popina Khumanda graduated with a Diploma in IT at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation. 

Using the principles of international law and the regulatory systems in Germany and the UK, the PhD study of Roelof van Huyssteen proposed a new renewable energy statute for South Africa to promote environmental, economic and social development and to assist South Africa towards a just transition.

Researchers at Nelson Mandela University have released a project report outlining best practices for improving student entrepreneurship support at South African public universities.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Masters in isiXhosa student, Anelisa Thengimfene, has published a book of poems entitled "Amajingiqhiw'entlalo" (the ups and downs of life).

Coming from humble beginnings, Dr Munodani Chapano, utilised every opportunity that came his way to fight for his education and graduated on 20 April at Mandela University  with his PhD in Human Resource Management. 

Nelson Mandela University advanced engineering design group students have developed an early-detection device to help with the prevention of unnecessary blood loss during surgeries and other medical procedures.

With a passion for social justice, legal education and personal growth and development, it was no fluke that Nelson Mandela University’s former Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Avinash Govindjee, rose to the bench of the Eastern Cape High Court at Makhanda.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance abuse was the research topic of two recent PhDs in Pharmacy at Nelson Mandela University.

In what will undoubtedly be a bittersweet accolade for one of Nelson Mandela University’s game-changing academics, the institution is set to confer an honorary doctorate on acclaimed paediatric cardiologist and former executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the late Professor Lungile Pepeta, tomorrow (29 April 2022).

In a great display of the dividends of hard work, dedication, resilience and an indisputable work ethic, veteran broadcaster and celebrated media personality, Noxolo Grootboom, showed Nelson Mandela University graduates just how far these fundamentals of professional life can take one.

A heart-breaking picture of a 16-year-old girl accepting an honours degree on behalf of her dead mother has left many South Africans in tears.

“To be a scholar is an act of freedom. There is no other job like that. Research the knowledge of your dreams. You have an impact on your own growth as you choose your path.”

“Mama uyandibona (mama do you see me), Enkosi mama (thank you mama)” - This phrase has become synonymous with graduation celebrations across the country, with graduates often shouting these words across the stage to acknowledge the role that their maternal figures have played in their upbringing and success.

The Gqeberha leg of Nelson Mandela University’s autumn graduation season kicked off this week with more than 2 000 graduates of the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences crossing the stage, and the awarding of an honorary doctorate to struggle stalwart and ANC veteran, Sindiso Mfenyana.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Jean Greyling, Associate Professor in the Department of Computing Sciences at Mandela University, has been awarded the 2021 Distinguished Service in ICT Award.

The Gqeberha leg of Nelson Mandela University’s autumn graduation season kicked off this morning with more than 300 graduates of the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences crossing the stage, and the awarding of an honorary doctorate to  struggle stalwart and ANC veteran, Sindiso Mfenyana.

Today, Nelson Mandela University begins the Gqeberha leg of its Autumn Graduation season with the capping of more than 7000 graduates, including 52 doctorates.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The work of the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in collaboration with Mandela University’s Photovoltaic Research Group, presented at the 16th Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology Conference (PVSAT-16) was awarded Best Poster for its poster and conference paper.

Given the advances in artificial intelligence and automation taking place in the financial planning industry, Senior Lecturer in Business Management at Nelson Mandela University, Jackie Palframan based her PhD on developing the human side and its impact on value creation.

A total of 25 students will be the first graduates to be awarded the Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation. Another 40 students have registered for 2022.

Siblings Andisa Tyiwani-Batala and Makabongwe Tyiwani will both graduate with their Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation.

Nelson Mandela University’s autumn graduation got off to a great start, with three ceremonies for close to 400 George Campus graduates held at Eden Place, in the Garden Route town.

A number of changes have been and are being implemented on Nelson Mandela University’s campuses in line with Government regulations towards the ongoing protection of staff and students as we transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to managing it like any other notifiable communicable disease.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola from the Centre for Women and Gender Studies and our SARChI Chair on African Feminist Imaginations, has won the coveted 2022 Humanities and Social Sciences Book Award: Best Monograph in Non-fiction for her 2021 book, Female Fear Factory.

Acclaimed paediatric cardiologist and former Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the late Professor Lungile Pepeta, celebrated media personality, Noxolo Grootboom, and struggle stalwart and ANC veteran, Sindiso Mfenyana, are among the more than 7 000 graduands who will be awarded their qualifications at Nelson Mandela University’s autumn graduation this month.

Mandela University’s Universal Accessibility and Disability Services (UADS) recently launched a campaign to raise awareness on wheelchair use and accessibility on campus.

Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus will make history during its Autumn Graduation Ceremony, when Cerneels Coetzee, 56, will receive the first doctorate in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences to be awarded at this campus.

Nelson Mandela University Council has re-elected Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, as its Chancellor for a second term of office.

Emily and Samantha McCulloch-Jones, will both graduate with a PhD in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus Ceremony on 8 April.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The South African Institute of Accountants (SAICA) has released the results of the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) examination for Chartered Accountants confirming Mandela University’s quality of accounting education.

Reasons to be Proud – R2bP: The Madibaz ladies water polo team have won the SA Nationals and are the first ever all female player and management team to win at this level.

Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation season for George Campus students will be hosted on 7 and 8 April and the ceremonies for its Gqeberha students will run from 20 April to 5 May.

Human Rights Day is one that affords us, as South Africans and Nelson Mandela University, an opportunity to reflect.

In welcoming the arrival of students and the return of staff to campus, safety and security is recognised as central to creating a vibrant campus environment.

Nelson Mandela University, in its commitment to inclusive access for success, continues to work towards ensuring a successful 2022 academic year. 

Nelson Mandela University, in partnership with the United Nations in South Africa, will be launching the annual report of the United Nations’ monitoring body of international drug control conventions, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), at the institution this week.

The US acting consul general to SA last week hailed an innovative aquaponics partnership when he visited Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus.

Every year, on 08 March, the world commemorates International Women’s Day (IWD). This day serves as a symbolic reminder of the historic journey traversed globally in the ongoing efforts towards gender equality.

A transdisciplinary team from Nelson Mandela University recently presented the University’s contribution to the renewed collaborative and capacity building Amajingqi project in the fields of socio-geographic mapping, rural SME development, education, and eco-tourism.

Staff and students are advised to work and study remotely as far as possible today (04 March 2022), in consultation with their line managers and lecturers.

Through engagements with the Student Representative Council (SRC), Nelson Mandela University has agreed to the request from the student body for an extension to the registration closure date. Late registration will therefore no longer close tomorrow, 04 March 2022, but on Friday, 11 March 2022.

Staff, students advised to consider remote studies and work 

Nelson Mandela University continues working fervently to enable the successful registration of all admitted and academically deserving students by the close of late registration on Friday, 04 March 2022.

Even as Nelson Mandela University continues to attend to all outstanding challenges that come at the start of every academic year, it is happy to report a 34.7% increase in the number of new first- time entering students from 2021.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Chelsey Cooke, a first year Human Movement Science student, recently represented South Africa at the Africa Lifesaving Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela Uni alumnus Gerhardt Boukes (38) who holds a PhD in Biochemistry, is part of a team making the first mRNA vaccine for human use on the African continent.

On 21 February 2022 the Humanities Faculty is celebrating the International Mother Tongue Day by hosting a seminar titled Writing Legal Judgments in isiXhosa: Indigenous Languages and the Law.

Piloted for the first time last year, Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre has extended its incubator school programme to assist past matriculants, giving them a second chance to pass their exams or improve their marks.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Alumnus and former Madibaz hockey player Jody Paul, would not “in a million years” have envisioned himself as the assistant coach of the Great Britain women’s team.

Following the series of positive engagements held between Nelson Mandela University management and student representatives at its campuses in Gqeberha and George yesterday, the parties found each other on a number of issues raised.

Nelson Mandela University Management held a series of positive engagements with student representatives at its campuses in Gqeberha and George yesterday.

Entrances to the University’s North and South campuses, in Gqeberha and George Campus remain blocked by protesting students.

Please be advised that entrances to the North and South Campuses have been blocked and a similar situation is being experienced at our George Campus.

In a massive boost for its on-campus accommodation offering, Nelson Mandela University has opened the first of three new student residences – totalling 1 800 beds – that are set for completion at its Gqeberha campuses this year.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Honours in Visual Arts student, Luke Rudman, has been selected from more than 380 entries to participate in South Africa’s most prestigious creative developmental programme. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Three design students from Mandela University were recently recognised in the 2021 WPO WorldStar International Packaging Design Student Awards.

Nelson Mandela University has opened a small window of opportunity for late applications to selected programmes that still have available spaces from today, 26 January 2022.

To support new students and their parents with questions and concerns at the start of the 2022 Academic Year #AY2022 and make their experience as seamless as possible, Nelson Mandela University staff who receive such requests, may find the following contact list useful.

Given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic and the need to responsibly manage the safety of our University community, the Faculty Welcomes and VC’s Welcoming Ceremony for new students will once again be held virtually.

Nelson Mandela University’s investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is preparing its medical students to work in an increasingly digital world.

The new Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences has a collaborative and interdisciplinary vision for the Medical School, the 12^th and latest department in this flourishing faculty at Nelson Mandela University.

Like the world over, Nelson Mandela University is saddened by the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and wishes to recognise the seminal role he played in advancing South Africa’s transformation.

A primary health care orientation lies at the heart of Nelson Mandela University’s new MBChB programme to train caring, competent, socially responsive and committed medical doctors.

The learning and teaching approach of the Medical School and Health Science Faculty has adapted with agility to address the challenges of the COVID-19 world.

When Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa welcomed 50 medical students at a small, internal Oath Taking ceremony in May 2021, it was the culmination of a dream dating back to 1946.

Students from around South Africa flooded Nelson Mandela University with applications for the first year MBChB class of 50 students.

The University's new Medical School gives students the opportunity to interact with the community from the start and looking back on 2021 this has been an enriching experience all round.

Nelson Mandela University had a very clear goal in mind when it decided to place its new Medical School in the heart of Missionvale, a desperately under-resourced part of Gqeberha.

Former Vice-Chancellor Professor Derrick Swartz gives his insights on bringing the dream of the new Medical School to fruition. Prof Swartz was among the guests at the launch on November 30, 2021.

Nelson Mandela University congratulates theologian and political analyst, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, on his appointment as vice-chancellor and principal of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

Patrick Joel Turkson from Ghana, who will be graduating with his PhD in Marketing on 15 December at Nelson Mandela University’s graduation, says his doctoral supervisor Dr Felix Amoah told him that "a PhD is a journey", which he says he now totally confirms.

Dr Conrad van Greunen will be receiving his second PhD in Business Management at Nelson Mandela University on 15 December, both supervised by Prof Elmarie Venter.

Student entrepreneurship support at South African public universities to mitigate youth unemployment is the focus of a collaborative project between Nelson Mandela University, University of Pretoria, and Ghent University in Belgium.

You too can make your life-time change” says Ayanda Simayi, whose PhD research, developed a teaching strategy that enabled her rural teacher colleagues to name initially avoided sexual concepts in the Life Sciences curriculum.

Struggle veteran and strategist, Joel Netshitenzhe, will be lauded with an honorary doctorate during Nelson Mandela University’s summer graduation next week for, among others, his contribution to the abolishment of apartheid and the subsequent nation-building project of South Africa.

It is essential for music creatives to focus and educate themselves on music business and music law to be successful in the ever-changing music industry and working world.

Patience, passion, and perseverance have marked the doctoral study success of Gabriel Kwadwo Twumasi, who will now graduate with a PhD in Business Management at Nelson Mandela University on 15 December.   

The research of Nelson Mandela University student Itumeleng Zosela introduces an innovative treatment, namely nanoparticles, which are only toxic to cancer cells and not normal cells. The treatments currently available have severe side effects, damaging normal cells and not only the colon cancer cells.

Protecting our environment and endangered marine life and the immense importance of the ocean, was the reason behind Andrea Govender’s Master’s in Accounting research, which created environmental awareness from an auditing perspective.

Software Engineer at Property24 Cape Town Okuhle Ngada addressed the problem of online misinformation, commonly referred to as ‘fake news’ by using technological approaches, such as machine learning and deep learning technology. 

From Olympic swimming pools to India’s cricket stadiums, from TV adverts that make us laugh and think to the banking tools that protect us from risk, from cars to recruitment, alumni from Nelson Mandela University are making a difference in diverse fields and in all parts of the world.

Business values in indigenous Black South African family businesses are influenced and shaped by their African culture, and the philosophy of Ubuntu. And parents are the most influential familial socialisation agents.

Johannesburg, 26 November 2021 – Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to plague communities across South Africa. Higher education institutions are not immune to this alarming trend of sexual violence, with increasing incidents being reported across our campuses and their surrounds.

The significant but different roles that commercial alcohol and umqombothi play during the amaXhosa initiation ceremonies have been highlighted in the Social Work Master’s degree research of Mzoli Mavimbela, 31, who will graduate on 14 December at Nelson Mandela University.

Born in Limpopo, international music performer and composer Musa Nkuna, 48, who lives in Germany, has chosen Nelson Mandela University to study for this DMus in Composition degree.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2BP - Nelson Mandela University’s Occupational Health Team won first prize for the institution’s COVID-19 poster at the national conference of the South African Society of Occupational Health Nursing (SASOHN).

Developing healthcare professionals with a heart for the community and its healthcare needs, and an opportunity for urban renewal in Gqeberha’s Missionvale area and surrounds are some of the major spin-offs of the country's newest medical school, based at Nelson Mandela University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela Uni Geosciences PhD student, Carla Dodd, was selected for the specialised African/German field training programme (Train-ME²) as part of a group of only eight postgraduate students from across Africa.

Nelson Mandela University Chancellor, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, was lauded with an honorary doctorate by the North West University (NWU) last week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The newly established Nelson Mandela University Steelpan Ensemble, conducted by Siyamthanda Xotyeni, recently won several awards at the 10^th world-renowned International Marimba & Steelpan Festival, with 1615 participants this year.

Jazz takes centre stage at Mandela University this evening with the virtual hosting of the 13^th Isisusa Fest ’21 in which the artistry of three fallen music legends will be celebrated.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Third-year Nelson Mandela University BA Media, Communication and Culture design student Jamie Penrith, won second place in her category in the national Student Gold Pack Packaging Awards competition. She will now be entered into the WorldStar Student packaging awards.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Social Work alumnus Mzoli Mavimbela, 31, recently received the Creative Non-Fiction Award from SALA and Write Associates in collaboration with the National Department of Arts and Culture for his book MASIBUYEL’ EMBO KONAKELE PHI NA?

Under the umbrella of celebrating excellence, Nelson Mandela University recognised its top academic, professional, administrative and service staff in the categories of research, teaching, engagement, creative outputs and institutional support on 23 November.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Education’s Prof Mathabo Khau is one of only 29 chosen from 114 applicants to participate in the Future Professors Programme Phase 2 Cohort 1 of the Department of Higher Education and Training  (DHET).

Nelson Mandela University will mark the realisation of its long-held dream to establish a medical school with an official launch on Tuesday, 30 November.

Reasons to be Proud – R2bP#: Computing Sciences honours student, Marco Venter, has developed a smart phone security app that is already creating waves in Germany and the United States.

Specialised rescue missions in the generally under resourced Eastern Cape have been given a lifeline, with Nelson Mandela University becoming the dispatch hub of Rescue South Africa activities and equipment as part of a ground-breaking partnership launched on Wednesday (17 November 2021).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Open Education community, Academic Developer and leader of Mandela University’s Open Education Influencers Project, Gino Fransman, has been recognised with a global Open Education Award for Excellence.

On Wednesday (17 November 2021), Nelson Mandela University will officially join hands with Rescue SA via a virtual launch to help build capacity for rescue training and to assist with specialised rescue operations locally, nationally and beyond.

Mathematics and science are often considered the two most difficult school subjects that are so often avoided by students, yet they can have a significant impact on what a learner can do when they leave school. 

From microfinance and empowerment of women to improving financial literacy and helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses are what three recent student academic award winners have in common.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Four Nelson Mandela University students have made it through the to the prestigious GradStar Top 100.

Nelson Mandela University staff and students have also been greatly affected by the rolling power outages in Summerstrand and surrounds, where the bulk of our campuses are situated, and many students reside.

Mandela University architecture students took first place in both the 2021 PG Bison’s 1.618 Education Initiative student competition and the Caesarstone Student Designer competition.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Academic Developer and Project Leader of Mandela University’s Open Education Influencers, Gino Fransman, along with a team of collaborators across four continents, have won two global awards for their innovative new children’s book, Together.

The Law Clinic at the Missionvale Campus is a full-fledged law firm which provides free legal services to people in need, and at the same time gives students opportunities to train in a real-life setting.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Two Mandela Uni Geosciences students won awards at the recent three-day annual Groundwater Conference in South Africa, attended in person and online by professionals and students involved in groundwater-related issues.

Reaching from the northern areas to the southern suburbs of Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela University’s two psychology clinics provide a comprehensive and accessible service to people who would not otherwise be able to afford psychological services.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Two thirds of the finalists in two industry sponsored design competitions are third-year Mandela Uni Architectural Design students who have been selected as finalists in the 2021 PG Bison’s 1,618 Education Initiative student competition and the 2021 Caesarstone Student Designer competition.

The scale and speed at which the university sector has been required over 18 months to digitally transform to online and hybrid (a combination of online and face-to-face) models has triggered a seismic shift in higher education. 

Nelson Mandela University is saddened by news of the passing of a student during a DASO event this afternoon. It is understood that the student drowned, and another is still missing.

The Spirit of Water – Practices of cultural reappropriation: Indigenous heritage sites along the coast of the Eastern Cape-South Africa is title of the book Dr Magda Minguzzi of Nelson Mandela University recently published.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Two Mandela University music students have been awarded prestigious bursaries from The Southern African Church and Concert Organists Society (SACOS).

Students and staff in the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology (EBET) have been playing an incredible role in tackling COVID-19 challenges.

George Campus Principal, Dr Kaluke Mawila, was selected as Chair of FOREST21's* Advisory Board at it's first meeting.

Reasons to be proud - #R2bP: Computing Sciences student, Amica de Jager, walked away with an arm full of medals at the recent DHL Lifesaving South Africa National Championships which took place in Gqeberha.

Four student academic award recipients at the recent virtual annual academic student awards ceremony are top achievers in the world of computers and numbers.

Mandela University’s Universal Accessibility and Disability Services (UADS) showed the way with their vaccination campaign #GETVACCINATED.

From a matric side hustle to a growing business with potential for global success, energy entrepreneurs Kwanda Jakalase and Randolph Bruce Meth say a national competition has helped to give them international wings. 

The Hubs of Convergence (HoC) is a project within the university’s Engagement and Transformation space to help the university act in service of society alongside internal and external stakeholder communities.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Master’s in isiXhosa graduate, Cingiswa Mbangwa, recently received the African Languages of Southern Africa (ALASA) VIA AFRIKA Postgraduate Award for her outstanding research.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused major upheaval to daily life. Education has been at the heart of the disruption – learners in grade one to matric had to transition to new routines and styles of learning literally overnight, when the hard lockdown began in March 2020.

South Africa’s universities must shed their dominant modern/colonial imaginary character to transform and become more responsive.

Three Music students who all want to make a difference in various ways with their music, received awards at the University’s recent virtual annual academic student awards ceremony.

The Nelson Mandela University Business School will assist the Metro Women Secondary Co-operative (MWSC) in enhancing their skills through training. Additionally, the secondary objective is to build an entrepreneurship eco-system in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Province.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Dr Lorien Pichegru, a marine biologist at Mandela University and Acting Director of the Coastal and Marine Research Institute, has received the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite (Knight of the Order of Merit) award from the ambassador of France in SA.

Construction of a new road to alleviate traffic congestion leading to Nelson Mandela University’s South Campus in Summerstrand is underway.

Two Madibaz tennis players are among the 24 top students who received awards at the recent virtual annual academic student awards ceremony.

The research of two award-winning master’s graduates and lecturers at Nelson Mandela University can contribute to the country’s health services in both the legal and environmental health areas. Both women received awards at the recent virtual annual academic student awards ceremony.

The aquaponics project on Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus is an example of how  the university is working with private enterprise, a non-profit organisation and schools in the area to grow food sustainably all year round.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Bachelor of Education honours graduate, Dylan Mackenzie, has been appointed as foreign academic director for the Limai Chinese American International School in Beijing, China.

The excellence of 24 top students and graduates were recognised at Nelson Mandela University’s second, virtual annual student Academic Awards ceremony on 28 September 2021.

As a water-scarce continent and an institution that prioritises sustainability and has earth stewardship as a value, the way Nelson Mandela University saves water now through its various strategies will be key in how we view - and use - water in the long-term.

Nelson Mandela University Business School is making history on the continent by offering an internationally recognised, new doctoral programme for business professionals and specialists.

Nelson Mandela Bay residents have an opportunity to contribute to the aesthetic revitalisation of the Gqeberha central business district — and bag a few thousand rand in the process.

The SARChI Chair in African Feminist Imaginations is held by Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola from the Centre for Women and Gender Studies (CWGS). Heather Dugmore reports on why this is so significant for female empowerment.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Master’s student in the department of Media and Communication, Talya Goldmann, has won the StageLine SA ‘Queen of Colour’ 2021 competition. 

Nelson Mandela University launches the online version of it’s official University Shop today, Tuesday, 14 September 2021.

Pastor Earl Piet is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Usen Obot is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Maria Grewar is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Ntombosindiso Genge is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University students won three of the four categories in the regional round of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Intervarsity and will compete in the national finals in November.

The symmetry of a face, the angles of a city skyline, the way fireflies start flickering in unison: Mathematical shapes and patterns are all around us – and they can take our breath away.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Honours in Public Management & Leadership student, Vuyokazi Gwam, has been selected as one of 10 delegates from South Africa to participate in the Programme for Young Politicians in Africa (PYPA).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz water polo coach Delaine Mentoor received national recognition this week when named Coach of the Year at the Momentum GSport Awards.

The university sector should consider selling the benefits of transformation rather than force or impose change. 

A university lecturer and his former students have tapped into political risk research.

The scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) continues to plague our society, with mostly women, children, and individuals from the LGBTIQA+ communities, worst affected.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor Lynn Futcher from the School of ICT at Mandela University has been elected onto the executive of the national Institute of Information Technology Professionals of South Africa (IITPSA).

South Africa, as a young democratic state with a history of brutal colonial and apartheid rule, is recognised as having one of the most progressive constitutional and legislative infrastructures in the world. 

Despite slight apprehension to take the COVID-19 vaccine, according to various polls, South African youth have been turning up to get the jab after registration, and walk-ins, were opened to them last week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor in Computing Sciences at Mandela University, Jean Greyling, has been selected as one of ten winners in the Future Learning category of the international, Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year 2021.

Prof Zukiswa Zingela is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Pamela Mabini is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Thamsanqa Joseph Nkevu is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

As one of the largest institutions in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Nelson Mandela University is part of the city-wide efforts to save water and avert the impending Day Zero as far as possible.

Yolanda Bukani is a finalist in The Herald Citizens of the Year Awards in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Chemistry lecturer, Dr Gletwyn Rubidge, once again broke a national record at the AIDA Freediving World Cup held in Egypt last month.

Nelson Mandela University has partnered with the Eastern Cape Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC-EC) towards the provision of relevant industry-aligned degree programmes and other capacity building initiatives aimed at bolstering the manufacturing sector and provincial economy.

At Nelson Mandela University we salute all women, at all times, recognising their innate ability of strength, perseverance and determination to lead for the fight against inequality today.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The Advanced Engineering Design Group’s (AEDG) engineering students are in an exciting collaborative project with well-known racing team, Scuderia Scribante.

Nelson Mandela University’s innovative new medical school is a dream come true, not only for the university but also for the province.

With the University having to come up with all kinds of innovative ways to save water in this water crisis, the Botany Department has implemented a closed water distilling system for their research needs, saving an enormous amount of water.   

Nelson Mandela University hosted its first virtual Pharmacist’s Oath and Pharmacy Award Ceremony on Friday, 23 July 2021.

Nelson Mandela University will be halting its vaccination to those in the 35 to 49-year age group – staff, students and members of the public - until 1 August following a directive last night from the Eastern Cape MEC for Health, through our District Manager, Darlene de Vos.

Nelson Mandela University’s Vaccination Centre in Gqeberha was swamped in more ways than one today.

Nelson Mandela University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts is showcasing two virtual exhibitions on the National Arts Festival virtual Fringe platform until 31 July 2021.

Due to the present national shortage of the Pfizer vaccine, Mandela University will be switching to the one-shot J&J vaccine from tomorrow (Wednesday, 21 July).

Nelson Mandela University has opened up a second vaccination site, specifically dedicated to its 29 000 students.

Nelson Mandela University is calling on its staff, students, alumni and friends to dig deep and join hands in living the legacy of its namesake as the country remembers Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on Mandela Day on 18 July.

Dr Phumeza Kota-Nyati has been appointed as the Dean: Learning and Teaching from July 2021.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz Sport are proud to have five representatives included in the South African team to participate at the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this month.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Despite enduring an extraordinary learning and teaching environment during the 2020 academic year, Nelson Mandela University’s accounting graduates achieved an impressive 83% pass rate at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (SAICA) initial test of competence exam, the results of which were released last week. 

As one of the largest institutions in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, Nelson Mandela University is on a water emergency and sustainability drive to address the looming Day Zero crisis.

As planning continues for the safe continuation of the academic project in line with the recent move to National Lockdown Adjusted Level 4, Nelson Mandela University remains committed to minimising the impact on staff and students as far as possible.

The Nelson Mandela University computing sciences department is one of the main role players in a new global family tech programme created by Amazon Web Services.

Yesterday afternoon (30 June 2021), the Minister of Higher Education, Training, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, outlined sector-specific guidelines pertaining to the move to National Lockdown Adjusted Alert Level 4 announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University students were the big winners at the recent Corobrik Student Architecture Awards.

In this professorial inaugural lecture* Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Mandela University, Russell Phillips, unpacked the role of renewable energy in de-urbanising post-COVID Africa. 

The first year class of Nelson Mandela University’s new medical school is encouraging the matrics of 2021 to apply for next year’s MBChB course.

With Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supply drying up fast, there is some good news with return effluent water irrigation extended to include more sports fields on campus.

Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a move to National Lockdown Adjusted Alert Level 4 as part of the national coronavirus response.

Nelson Mandela University’s own vaccination rollout, which began on Monday as part of Phase 2 for the national programme, is happily gaining momentum – and high praise.

The South African Research Chairs Initiative, or SARChI, launched a chair in African Feminist Imaginations at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, on 5 June, headed by Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola from the university’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies.

Since time immemorial, amabali (stories) and iintsomi (folktales) have been one of the leading ways through which to transfer knowledge from one generation to the next. Having been somewhat neglected as a critical form of knowledge creation or development in the mainstream education system, there are ongoing efforts to highlight its importance in children’s development, in particular.

In line with our vision of being a truly dynamic, African University, our Music Department has introduced steel pan as a choice of main instrument in its curriculum.

Nelson Mandela University has been approved as a Master Facility COVID-19 Vaccination Site by the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH).

Nelson Mandela University’s award-winning choir received an unexpected thumb’s up from Mango Groove lead singer Claire Johnstone for their rendition of the South African band’s own song “Faces to the Sun”.

Dr Magda Minguzzi, senior lecturer at Mandela University’s School of Architecture and researcher at the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, recently received recognition for her years of research and commitments with the First Nation. 

With a third wave of COVID-19 infections in South Africa upon us as also evidenced in the University’s own sharp increase of cases, it is critical that we each do what we can to counter this.

An Autonomous Solar Boat prototype that was designed in Nelson Mandela Bay will soon have its maiden voyage at sea.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Chemistry lecturer, Dr Gletwyn Rubidge, broke two national records and matched a third at the Freediving World Cup held in Egypt last month.

“My roots are in the Eastern Cape village of Centane where Wipagriculture, a subsidiary of Wiphold, has established a maize and soya bean farming project on 2500 hectares of land with 2800 landowners, of whom 52% are women,” says Gloria Serobe, leading South African businesswoman, CEO of Wipcapital, a subsidiary of Wiphold (Women Investment Portfolio Holdings) and pioneer in the field of broad-based economic empowerment for women.

Africa requires a country and university to take the lead in governance and intellectual development for the blue economy and sustainable conservation of the continent’s oceans, says Emeritus Professor Martin Tsamenyi who is being conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Law (Maritime Law) from Nelson Mandela University during the virtual graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Law on Thursday 22 April.

An exciting new partnership is on the cards between Nelson Mandela University and Ubuntu Pathways, with the institutions effectively seeking to cement a longstanding informal collaboration that spans many years.

'The Future of Museums: Recover and Imagine', is the theme of this year's International Museum Day. 

The first cohort of 50 medical students at Nelson Mandela University’s Medical School on Missionvale Campus are hard at work with their studies.

Business Management’s Prof Shelley Farrington, as local promoter, and masters’ student Riyaad Ismael as lead researcher, have been focussing on the identification and distribution of best practices in university-based student entrepreneurship support and creating a student entrepreneurship development tool.

Nelson Mandela University will be sharing its own vaccination rollout plans to staff and students in the second of its VAX FAX Conversations webinar series at midday on Monday, 17 May.

Nelson Mandela University is partnering with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on a symposium reflecting on the role of South Africa in fostering multilateralism in Africa and the rest of the world.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Director of Madibaz Sport, Yoliswa Lumka, has been appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the SASCOC High Performance University Sport Working Group. 

“I am grateful to NSFAS and Nelson Mandela University for this opportunity to have a qualification that no one can take away from me and to Student Counselling for making sure that I kept my sanity” says Nomsa Gida, 35, who graduated with a Diploma in Building, 15 years after she first started at the University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: A group of 2020 3^rd year IsiXhosa language students, assisted by their lecturer, Professor Linda Kwatsha, have written a book of poetry entitled Umphanda Wolwazi.

“My granny is my inspiration and motivation”, says 21 year old Avelile Lutho Cishe, a cum laude Forestry graduate from Idutywa in the Eastern Cape. 

Silindokuhle Kwani, 28, who graduated last week with her second degree in Nursing at Nelson Mandela University (Bachelor of Nursing in Advanced Primary Healthcare), wants to change the mind set of young and future nurses and motivate them to be educated nurses and not just stay at the basic level.

“Guys I did it, who would have thought a girl from the farm could achieve such immaculate grades”, posted Tematfombeni on her social media page as she bagged 22 distinctions out of 30 modules in her four-year academic journey.

In the context of possible future shale gas exploitation, if the conflicts and uncertainties between communities and traditional authorities regarding land tenure and tenure security are not addressed, the potential benefits of shale gas development may be jeopardized. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Fourth year Education student and Madibaz Sport Student Assistant, Thabiso Letselebe was recently appointed to the International University Sport Federation (FISU) Media & Communications International Working Committee.

Barriers to learning for students in the TVET college sector, was the focus of the research done by Master’s in Education graduate, Nontutuzelo Magingxa, 46.

The first two graduates in BEngTech Marine Engineering graduated at Nelson Mandela University’s Autumn Graduation.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Final year law student, Liso Zenani, flew the flag high at the annual Uhuru World Debate Championship (UWDC) held recently, making it to the grand finals of the English Second Language category.  

Nelson  Mandela University students, staff and alumni – along with three top South African musicians – will share a virtual stage with hundreds of international performers participating in UNESCO-backed International Jazz Day on 30 April.

In 2016, when BCom Business Management graduate Marie N'Guessan, arrived from Côte d’Ivoire, excited and ready to study at Nelson Mandela University, she had never been to South Africa and had just learnt to speak English.

Zoology Master’s graduate Hendrik du Toit overcame the challenging trials of doing a field and laboratory-based research project during the lockdown of 2020, to graduate cum laude at Nelson Mandela University’s April Graduation.

“Quoting our namesake, Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it is done” was a reality for the MPhil in Information Technology (IT) Governance treatise research that I undertook in 2020” says graduate Constandious Takura Munakandafa.

The graduation of Gabriella Berman with an MCom: Marketing makes history for the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, and the Department of Marketing Management on the George campus.

“It’s important for people to turn negative situations into positives,” this is the outlook of Public Relations Management graduate, Ross Dakin, 23.

The Times Higher Education [THE] Impact Rankings are global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – essentially measuring higher education institutions’ contribution to the SDGs. 

The first of more than 6 000 graduands, including three honorary doctorate recipients, crossed the virtual graduation stage today in the first of six ceremonies at Nelson Mandela University.

The development of a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors, while at the same time guiding policymakers and the mining industry in the development of policies and strategies, are among the contributions and findings of PhD in Business Management graduate Talifhani Khubana’s study.

Junior lecturer in the Business Management Department at Nelson Mandela University, Storm Watson said the biggest challenge he encountered during his master’s journey had to be time management - balancing his personal life, work and studies.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz Water Polo player and 3^rd year Pharmacy student, Ashleigh Vaughan, was named Player of the Tournament at the recent Senior Nationals (Currie Cup) held in Durban.

Nelson Mandela University is presently addressing various challenges facing both new and continuing students at the start of its 2021 academic year, which began on 23 March.

Nelson Mandela University remains steadfast in its commitment to social justice. As such, for the past several weeks, the University has been actively working to address the myriad of access-related issues in a bid towards as smooth a transition to the 2021 academic year as possible.

Nelson Mandela University is aware of the growing anxiety around the impending close of registration as several students are still grappling with funding and other access challenges.

Overriding safety concerns in line with COVID-19 regulations pertaining to large gatherings, means Nelson Mandela University will again be hosting its Graduation sessions virtually.

Nelson Mandela University is aware of protest action and calls for a sit-in by students on its main Gqeberha campuses and is presently assessing the situation.

Nelson Mandela University is aware of, and is presently addressing, various challenges facing both prospective and continuing students at the start of the 2021 academic year.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Student Entrepreneurship Specialist in the Department of Student Governance & Development at Mandela University, Karen Snyman, has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the Community of Practice for Student Entrepreneurship.

Nelson Mandela University welcomes the newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC), led by the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), following its victory at the elections last week.

As we prepare to enjoy Easter weekend, please continue to remain vigilant in practicing all prevention measures against the transmission of COVID-19. This appeal comes as more young people are contracting the virus, including students, as captured in today’s Daily Maverick story.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Associate Lecturer in the Department of History and Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University Dikeledi Mokoena, was elected as the new Treasurer of the African Association of Political Science at its recent conference.

The University is actively preparing itself as an accredited vaccination centre to support its staff and students as part of the country’s phased COVID-19 vaccination rollout programme.

Nelson Mandela University held a short virtual remembrance service at midday on Friday, 26 March 2021, to give all staff and students the opportunity to collectively remember and celebrate the lives of family and friends lost since the COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Final year Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies student, Zikhona Matolengwe has been elected to serve on the EDHE (Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education) – a student entrepreneurship Community of Practice.

Student formations at Nelson Mandela University are gearing up for the election of a new Student Representative Council (SRC) this week in the first ever virtual election, due to the prevailing pandemic and safety protocols that limit gatherings.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University scientists from the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, have been awarded the annual prize for the 2020 best paper in the field of Applied Physics Research from the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Russia. 

It has been a little more than 25 years since the watershed Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, in September 1995, which forged a global agenda towards the achievement of gender equality. 

Nelson Mandela University is gearing up for the start of formal academic activity next week, following an earlier agreement to use this week to prepare students and allow time for the finalisation of their funding and registration statuses.

More than 11 056 ePermits have been accepted and issued to new and senior students to date (17 March), as part of Mandela University’s efforts to continuously manage health and safety across all seven campuses in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and George in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University’s Department of Computing Sciences has received funding from The British Council Creative Commission as part of Project-ArC – an international consortium of 12 universities that will collaborate to deploy local initiatives for Climate Change accountability and responsibility.

Nelson Mandela University has always been resolute in its commitment towards social justice. To this end, the University remains committed to ongoing efforts to widen access to higher education for students, in particular those from poor and working class backgrounds.

A meeting between the Nelson Mandela University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) and senior members of management is underway to discuss challenges arising from the national call for shutdown across the higher education sector.

Nelson Mandela University is aware of the call for a national shutdown of the higher education sector until such time as the demands of the South African Union of Students (SAUS) are met.

Dear Students. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the start of the academic year on 15 March 2021. You probably have many questions about whether you need to attend all your classes, tutorials, lab and studio work, etc. on campus, or if some of this can be done online.

As universities across the country gear up for the start of the 2021 academic year, one of the major issues the higher education sector is grappling with is that of funding.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Dr Chris Oosthuizen, a Nelson Mandela University postdoctoral fellow hosted by Prof Pierre Pistorius, was recently awarded a prestigious CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) Scientific Scholarship.

Nelson Mandela University is aware of the various challenges facing students’ ability to register and wishes to assure affected students and their families that we will continue to hold these places as solutions are sought.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Geosciences lecturer Navashni Naidoo, has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study towards her PhD at the University of Illinois in the Unites States.

Nelson Mandela University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa will virtually welcome all new first-year students and their families to the institution in an address that will be premiered live on Saturday, 6 March on the University’s You Tube Channel.

With safety being the overriding consideration, there will be no mass mask-to-mask registration for students on the University’s Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) or George campuses this year.

Nelson Mandela University will be hosting a series of virtual welcomes for its new students and their families from Monday 1 March to Saturday 6 March. 

Nelson Mandela University will be hosting a series of language-related events throughout the course of the week, headlined by the virtual launch of a children’s “Virus Fighters” series in five languages and featuring storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe, today (Thursday, 25 February).

Nelson Mandela University is gearing up to welcome back all its students, including first years, for the 2021 academic year. 

It has been a week since the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine reached Nelson Mandela Bay shores, where a host of frontline workers lined up for the first jab of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, in line with the first phase of the country’s national vaccine rollout plan.

South African actress Dr Gcina Mhlophe will share the magic of storytelling at a Nelson Mandela University webinar this week to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

With the release of the Matric results today, we congratulate the Class of 2020 who managed a national pass rate of 76.2% under the difficult conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With more than two in five young South Africans out of work, Nelson Mandela University’s School of Economics is presenting a free webinar on youth entrepreneurship on Wednesday, February 24.

Nelson Mandela University has switched its traditional welcoming events for new students, parents and guardians to online and has adapted its format in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A novel building method and a forward-thinking funding model are being used to speed up construction of much-needed student accommodation at Nelson Mandela University.

Completing the 2020 academic year, while preparing to start the new one in mid-March 2021, in the midst of a pandemic is a complex and multi-layered undertaking.  The University is confident, however, that it will achieve both, and be ready to virtually welcome up to 6 500 new students.

An innovative app allows healthcare workers to remotely create an electronic medical record for a tuberculosis patient, capture patient data and record medication compliance.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Two Nelson Mandela art and design alumni are flying the flag high in Hollywood!

Nelson Mandela University has transferred a number of those services traditionally hosted on its campuses in Port Elizabeth and George at the start of the academic year, to online platforms for health and safety reasons.

From 11 February 2021, the executive leadership of Nelson Mandela University will gather virtually for a four-day Branding and Resource Mobilisation Executive Education Programme aimed at rallying funds to advance the legacy of the iconic statesman.

Five professors at Nelson Mandela University have received the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor, which entails an elevated status in recognition of their dedication and commitment to their field of expertise.  

Emeritus and distinguished Botany Professor, Richard Cowling, published a position essay on biodiversity conservation in response to an invitation from the world’s most prestigious science institution, The Royal Society (London).

“It is a privilege to help people in distress and bring back the real-world experiences to the University. It benefits the community and it helps to give the families closure as many loved ones are lost."

Cultural activist, Dr Nokuzola Mndende has joined Nelson Mandela University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology as an Adjunct Professor. 

News of the Nelson Mandela University’s new medical programme has been overwhelmingly positively received, with more than 3 600 applications successfully submitted online since applications opened on 06 January 2021.

Nearly two-thirds of schools in SA lack computer labs. One professor has found a way to fill the gap.

As academic activities resume towards the conclusion of the extended 2020 academic year and preparation for 2021, work is under way at Nelson Mandela University concerning student access matters. These include registration and the requisite financial aid from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mechanical Engineering student, Wian van Aswegen from Port Alfred, has designed and created a unique 3D metal printed golf putter.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Economics students, Ndivhuwo Malange and Lehlohonolo Domela, have been selected as two of the Top 20 finalists in the Nedbank & Old Mutual Budget Speech competition.

With a new, more transmissible, variant of the coronavirus spreading and adjusted level 3 restrictions in place, Nelson Mandela University is increasingly seeking ways to improve health and safety measures for staff, students and visitors on its campuses.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Madibaz judo star, Lwazi Mapitiza, achieved a major career highlight when he returned with a bronze medal from the African Judo Championships in Madagascar recently.

Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), together with Visual Arts student Mr Luke Rudman had the opportunity to be involved in the international artistic initiative the MaskBook Project, which recently formed part of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

The Inyathi Ibuzwa Kwabaphambili (wisdom is learnt/sought from the elders) of our African Women’s Intellectual Histories conference sought  to centre the intergenerational conversations and recognitions of interdependence of one generation to the other.

“If you consider that in 2050 Africa will have a population of approximately 2.5 billion people, representing a quarter to a third of all humanity, it becomes clear that Africa’s emerging markets are your future.” 

Nelson Mandela University is deeply saddened by the passing of trailblazing higher education leader, Professor Marcus Malusi Balintulo.

An unwavering commitment to water conservation culminated in a doctorate for a Southern Cape academic, whose lifelong dream to change her world through education began under an avocado tree two decades ago.

The line between what you study at university and the career you ultimately pursue has become increasingly blurred, says the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, who was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce by Nelson Mandela University, during its online Business and Economic Sciences Graduation Ceremony on Thursday 17 December.

Inyathi ibuzwa kwabaphambili – a Xhosa proverb that means wisdom is learnt or sought from the elders. This powerful proverb was the overarching theme of the two-day virtual colloquium hosted by the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University, in collaboration with Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria.

Taking physical and emotional care of Nelson Mandela University’s 29 000 students and 4 000 staff is a huge responsibility at the best of times.  Throw in a taciturn global pandemic and you accept that you will be stretched as healthcare workers at an institution of higher education.

Little over 12 months ago, we only vaguely knew about coronavirus. It was something “out there and far away”. We could never have guessed then of the impact that this virus – COVID-19 - would have around the globe.

As the year draws to a close, Nelson Mandela University has implemented a number of measures to support staff and students after the institution’s closure, including plans to assist any students recently infected by the coronavirus.

It is full steam ahead for South Africa’s 10^th medical school, which is located at Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus in Port Elizabeth.

More than 180 Nelson Mandela University students graduated as part of the first cohort of the new and highly popular Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching (Adv Dip TVT) at the University’s virtual summer graduation yesterday (17 December 2020).

Nelson Mandela University’s two-day virtual summer graduation kicks off on Thursday (17 December 2020), with more than 1 200 students to be awarded their qualifications over five sessions.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: During the recent Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) Virtual Presidential Tour and Awards Ceremony, BSc Honours in Quantity Surveying graduate, Michael Venter, won the ASAQS Gold Medal Award for outstanding academic achievement during the 2019 academic year.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Lesego Nkosi, a Mandela University Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology student, recently graduated from the sought-after Democracy Works Academy.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Prof Brenda Scholtz (Department of Computing Sciences) and Prof Lynn Futcher (School of Information Technology) have been appointed as the South African representatives on The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP).

Graduation is the pinnacle of one’s academic career and, following a rather turbulent year, Nelson Mandela University will celebrate this flagship event in its annual calendar virtually next week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Project Leader for the Open Education Influencers, Gino Fransman, has been appointed to the Board of Advisors on UNESCO’s international open education programme, Open Education for a Better World (OE4BW).

The CWGS aims to resuscitate the histories of African women from all walks of life in an intellectual cleansing/ukuhlambulula of her story, aimed at healing our society today.

The Eastern and Western Cape provinces, where Nelson Mandela University campuses are situated, are experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.  The rate of infections and fatalities is a cause for concern.

Carrying the name of one of the world’s greatest leaders brings with it enormous responsibility. This is something Nelson Mandela University takes very seriously, as it strives to be a university that is of service to society.   

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Representing South Africa, Nelson Mandela University students Randolph Meth and Kwanda Jakalase will receive resources and mentorship for developing their visionary idea to make an impact on campus and beyond.

As COVID-19 forced distance learning on schools across the country, a maths and science learning-support app developed by Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre has been providing critical support for learners in every province.

Nelson Mandela University has intensified its efforts to contain the present spike in infections on its campuses and within its accredited off-campus residences through a series of interventions.

Collaboration between the sciences and the social sciences can only lead to the improvement of sustainable and renewable energy, the effects of climate change on the environment, food security and the alleviation of poverty. 

Engineering students and academics from Nelson Mandela University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) represented South Africa in the 2020 Global Cybathlon Championship hosted by Switzerland last weekend. 

Nelson Mandela University wishes to announce a second National Research Foundation (NRF) SARCHI Research Chair in Humanities.

New Phase of our Collective Fight against the Pandemic

The exponential increase of infections in Nelson Mandela Bay and at our university calls for more united and determined action to reverse this negative trend.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The 2020 academic year is one that will not be forgotten for a number of reasons – and for eight Nelson Mandela University students from the Department of Media & Communication and the Department of Visual Arts – it could become memorable in the most rewarding of ways. 

The first official operations of the new fully functional hyperbaric chamber platform at Mandela University’s Ocean Sciences Campus recently took place, when two separate 30m chamber orientation dives were carried out for six Class III and Class IV trainee commercial divers. 

The spike of infections on both the University’s Port Elizabeth and George campuses is deeply concerning, all the more so because of ongoing blatant non-compliance of COVID-19 preventative measures.

Two weeks ago, Nelson Mandela University became aware, through media reports, of plagiarism allegations against one of its Adjunct Professors

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Lindokuhle Mvango, a second year Logistics student at Mandela University, has had her dream come true by being selected to represent South Africa at The International ARTS Talent Showcase in New York next year.

Nelson Mandela University’s STEM IN ACTION entity is giving matrics an extra “boost” with a Boost Prep Pack containing summary videos of their entire Physical Science curriculum, including the experiments.  It encourages learners not only to work together with their educators, but also independently.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Dr Justin August, lecturer in the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University has been elected as the Chairperson of the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

Gender-based violence remains one of the greatest challenges in South Africa. Higher education institutions, as microcosms of society, are not immune to these violations. Nelson Mandela University, having had challenges with capacity to effectively and speedily deal with GBV cases, has seen a marked improvement in the manner in which it deals with such cases.

Corruption and lawlessness are some of the biggest obstacles to the ongoing fight against fisheries crimes. With the incorrect belief that marine resources are unlimited, plunderers and often the public, seem to be of the view that their actions are victimless.

Mandela University's Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriShet) and the University of Johanneburg's Ali Mazrui Centre and the Post Graduate School's Research & Internationalisation will jointly host the launch of Prof Ihron Rensburg's book - Serving higher purposes - University mergers in post-apartheid South Africa.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Mike Roberts who holds the Chair in Ocean Science and Food Security, has been awarded a 2020 Newton Prize recognising research and innovation projects between the UK selected partner countries.

A COVID-19 resurgence is upon us, as evidenced by the rising number of cases nationally. The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro has been flagged as a hotspot as numbers continue to rise.

When disaster struck at two Nelson Mandela Bay communities in recent weeks, seeing a number of families lose their homes and belongings to fires, Nelson Mandela University’s Convergence Fund Deployment Committee (CFDC) stepped in to assist in the support initiatives for the affected communities.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Third year IT Software Development student, Athenkosi Sajini, was part of the team that took 2nd place in the recent Microsoft Safe@Home Hackathon.

The Department of Economics at Nelson Mandela University is presenting a free webinar on Monday, November 2, to unpack the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and government’s recent Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (RRP).

Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola will deliver the annual Tambo Foundation Anniversary Lecture on Friday (30 October).

Nelson Mandela University mourns the passing of the first Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), Dr Rolf Stumpf.  Dr Stumpf was Vice-Chancellor of NMMU from 2006 to 2008.

The University had hoped that by this coming December it would revert to hosting its normal summer graduation ceremonies, but unfortunately the situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet improved to a level where it would be feasible and safe to do so. 

As one of the largest institutions in Nelson Mandela Bay, Nelson Mandela University is on a water sustainability drive to address the water crisis in the metro and to ensure that our university, students and staff have sufficient water supply and reserve, without which we cannot operate.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has awarded Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Rose Boswell a new SARChI Research Chair in Ocean Cultures and Heritage.

Around a hundred thousand years ago, South Africa’s Cape south coast was a busy place. Giraffes, crocodiles, hatchling sea turtles and large bird species populated the landscape. Early humans were there, too.

Professor of Ocean Cultures and Heritage Rose Boswell has been invited to participate in a special edition of the “Master Class against Racism and Discriminations: Philosophical perspectives” presented by UNESCO on World Philosophy Day, 19 November 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Public Law Department Head at Nelson Mandela University, Prof Joanna Botha, has been invited to participate in an expert seminar of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Nelson Mandela University‘s Faculty of Law will host a webinar by former South African Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke, based on his recently published book, All Rise: A Judicial Memoir.

Nelson Mandela University’s 830-hecture nature reserve is at its springtime best, as a new virtual field trip of its exceptional plant diversity reveals.

Nelson Mandela University recognises the need for excellence in its research and scholarly endeavours and has committed itself to conducting such activities with utmost integrity.

It is with extreme shock and utter sadness that Nelson Mandela University has learned of the passing of social entrepreneur and change agent, Dr Vuyo Mahlati.

In the 2020 academic year, unprecedented in its historical significance the world over, Nelson Mandela University will pay homage to five outstanding men and women, who have made a remarkable contribution to society, through their work in the fields of literature, economic development and gender advocacy.

School closures driven by COVID-19 have presented major challenges for learners everywhere – including a group of past matriculants who were hoping to use this year to improve their poor matric marks, to gain access to university.

The Damas guesthouse in the remote Riemvasmaak area in the Northern Cape, which received its first off-grid facility from Nelson Mandela University two years ago, now boasts a larger pumping system as well as an off-grid power supply system for lighting.

Nelson Mandela University has appointed human rights activist and eminent scholar, Professor André Keet, as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Engagement and Transformation.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: A quartet of teenage SPAR Madibaz netball players highlighted their potential when they were chosen for the South African U21 squad in preparation for the World Youth Cup next year.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: A strategic decision to prioritise digital communication at Nelson Mandela University is reaping substantive results, including an international digital communication award.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Asanda Koyo, a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Economics student, has been selected to participate at the prestigious and competitive 2020 Rethinking Economics for Africa Festival hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice.

COVID-19 may have put the brakes on many events, but it didn’t stop the Nelson Mandela University’s annual GMMDC (Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre) National Math-Art Competition from going ahead.

Nelson Mandela University has entered into a partnership with Sasol to boost production and provision of free hand sanitisers.

Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD), in partnership with the institution’s Department of History and Political Studies, is running a series of talks, lectures and engagements with Visiting Lecturer and Research Professor Raymond Suttner.

In preparation for the gradual return to campus, a lot of work has gone towards ensuring that staff and students come back to a safe and COVID-19 compliant environment on campus.

The Chair for Youth Unemployment, Employability and Empowerment, in collaboration with six partner institutions launch a series of webinars today (11 September 2020) that focus on the implications of COVID-19 on the South African TVET colleges sector.

Nelson Mandela University mourns the passing of Adv George Bizos SC.

More than 11 800 students have already accepted the opportunity to return to campus to continue their studies, albeit in new ways and in very different conditions.

The move to digital, which was fast-tracked as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a 36.9% increase year-on-year in provisional acceptance offers made to possible future Nelson Mandela University students.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: KaziHealth, a mobile application developed by Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Community Technologies (CCT), has been named a finalist in the fourth Commonwealth Digital Health Awards.

A team of three Nelson Mandela University staff members from different units have been in partnership since the beginning of the lockdown to contribute in up-skilling academics to transition from face-to-face to digital and remote learning and teaching.

The 2021 academic year at Nelson Mandela University looks set to begin in March 2021, as the current academic year will be extended to ensure its successful completion.

Mandela University staff members paid tribute this week to the former Department of Public Administration and Leadership (PML) Head and Director of the Raymond Mhlaba Unit, Dr Sindisile Maclean, who passed away after a short time in hospital.

Nelson Mandela University will follow the same cautious and controlled approach in welcoming more staff and students back onto campus in the forthcoming weeks.  Up to 66% of our staff and returning students are permitted to be on campus, as per the Lockdown Level 2 regulations.

This Women’s Month, the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University is running a programme in honour of African women intellectuals and their historical contribution to the region.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Journalism Alumnus, Thulani Gqirana, has been appointed as the new Editor of Media24 Lifestyle’s magazine, Drum.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Final year Financial Planning student Khayalethu Khoza and Psychology student Sanele Thwala have been selected as two of the Gradstar Top 100 university students across South Africa.

Nelson Mandela University will host its first virtual inaugural professorial lecture on Monday, 24 August 2020 at 17:30.

In a symbolic gesture of peace and victory, every Nelson Mandela University staff member who overcomes COVID-19 will receive an olive tree sapling from the institution.

COVID-19 survivor Skye Cronje, a Lab Technician with the School of Visual and Performing Arts, has nothing but praise for the University’s support system, especially the Occupational Health Services team.

New FNB Madibaz rugby coach Andre Tredoux wants to make Nelson Mandela University the institution of choice for talented players in the Eastern Cape.

A colossal figure with a heart for humanity. A selfless leader.  A humble and hugely compassionate man, devoted to ensuring adequate primary healthcare services to all as a basic human right.

The scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the poor, in particular, has once again highlighted the need for intervention in the country’s most vulnerable communities.

Nelson Mandela University will pay tribute to its late Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Lungile Pepeta, with a Virtual Memorial Service at midday on Friday, 14 August 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The recent Propella Business Incubator’s virtual Hackathon proved to be a great platform for Mandela Uni students to excel.

The University will be livestreaming the official provincial funeral in Bizana, in the Eastern Cape, of our late Executive Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Lungile Pepeta, from 08:30 tomorrow (Wednesday 12 August).

The Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University, together with the Political and International Studies Department at Rhodes University and the English Department at the University of Pretoria, wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and students of the late Executive Dean of the Health Sciences Faculty, Prof Lungile Pepeta.

It is with great sadness and an immense sense of loss that we at Nelson Mandela University learned of the passing of our Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Lungile Pepeta.

This Women’s Month, the Centre for Women and Gender Studies at Nelson Mandela University is running a programme in honour of African women intellectuals and their historical contribution to the region.

The Coronavirus pandemic has touched lives across the globe. Here at home, in South Africa, case numbers are rising and have reached Nelson Mandela University.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: In a first of its kind, the biennial international BRICS* Skills Challenge 2020 took place in a virtual online format, and Mandela University student Jacques Welgemoed (23) was part of the experience.

Professor Richard Cowling of the African Centre for Coastal Paleoscience at Nelson Mandela University has spearheaded international research discovering why the tropics and a handful of other areas across the globe have become the most biodiverse places on the planet.

A full COVID-19 screening, visits to some of the residences and evidence of the suite of health and safety protocols firmly in place at Nelson Mandela University was enough to satisfy Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation, Deputy Minister, Mr Buti Manamela, during his visit to campus yesterday (04 August 2020).

Ensuring that Nelson Mandela University’s campuses are safe and functioning while striving to complete the academic year, in the midst of a global pandemic takes a team.

The working, learning and teaching experience at higher education institutions in the last few months has been extraordinarily different to the way it was when staff and students left campuses on early Recess in March 2020.

The Deputy Minister in the Department of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, will be at Nelson Mandela University tomorrow as part of his oversight visit to higher education institutions in the Eastern Cape.

Madibaz student Charlize van Zyl will use the time left ahead of South Africa’s entry into the Online Chess Olympiad to fine-tune her preparations for the competition in August.

The FishFORCE Academy within the Faculty of Law at Nelson Mandela University has been identified by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its Member States as a regional Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the training of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other law enforcement officers operating in the fisheries sector.

When Faculty of Law Deputy Dean Dr Lynn Biggs learnt in early June that her husband, Gavin had COVID-19, she feared the worst.

The first four intubation units designed by Nelson Mandela University’s Advanced Engineering Design Group (AEDG) were recently delivered to the Anaesthesiology staff at Livingstone Hospital.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Three students from Nelson Mandela University claimed the third  spot in the country in the annual Propella Hackathon that was held virtually last weekend due to the lockdown regulations. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University’s Executive Dean of Law, Professor Avinash Govindjee, has been appointed as one of two legal academics designated by the South African Law Deans' Association (SALDA) to serve on the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI).

“Courage is not the absence of fear, it is inspiring others to move beyond it.” These words by Nelson Mandela are the inspiration behind a series of digital tributes to Nelson Mandela University’s namesake during Mandela Month in these unprecedented times triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was easy for the first two days as I had no symptoms whatsoever.  However, four days later things started changing.  I was losing my sense of smell and developed a massive headache and sore throat. It was awful.”

Third year media and communication students created exciting ideas for children’s mask fabric patterns, had them made up and donated them to a primary school in Bethelsdorp.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Lecturer in the Department of Quantity Surveying at Mandela University, Sharon Dent, has been appointed as a Board Member of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS).

Walking the talk and getting right behind the University’s #MaskUpMandela campaign, the Nelson Mandela University Psychology Society have posed a challenge to students, staff and the South African public at large, to take part in their mask selfie competition.

Towards the end of 2019, the Journal of Southern African Studies (JSAS) published a special issue under the theme “Reassessing Mandela”, which includes ten articles from various scholars.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University Vice-Chancellor's Personal Assistant, Babalwa Sishuba was recently chosen as the public sector category winner in the OPSA (Association for Office Professionals of South Africa) National Administrative Excellence 2020 competition.

The Nelson Mandela University Convergence Fund has been gaining traction, attracting donations from various members of the University community around the world.

It is with great sadness that we inform our University community of the passing of Mxolisi Cumngce Gawe. Mr Gawe has served the University and its predecessor, the PE Technikon, in various capacities since 1986, including being part of the University interim council during the merger.  

When is the peak? A question that many scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, social scientists and data analysts have tried to predict as close to accurate an answer to, using various data models.

Education is the best way to flatten the coronavirus curve. That is the message from Nelson Mandela University professor and director of the university’s Centre for Community Technologies, Darelle van Greunen.

“When is the peak?” This is a question being continuously explored, with various sets of data used to model predictions of when South Africa’s COVID-19 infections will reach their peak.

A new online COVID-19 self-screening tool aimed at monitoring the wellbeing of Nelson Mandela University staff and students and to facilitate easier access to campuses and residences is now officially in use.

It was a cold, rainy Friday morning. A group of women braved the unfriendly Nelson Mandela Bay weather to gather at their children’s primary schools in Zwide to receive some much-needed food relief.

The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), an entity of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, on Friday teamed up with the Nelson Mandela University’s Visual Arts Department to deliver the first batch of a uniquely designed mask to Cape Racife School in Summerstrand. 

COVID-19 is an unprecedented occurrence in our country's young democracy. It has presented itself not only as a serious health issue, but also a societal one that has once again revealed the deep social crevices.

Lockdown has not hindered the creative juices of Nelson Mandela University students who have produced a diverse digital contribution in recognition of Youth Day on June 16.

Students need to take responsibility for ensuring that they see themselves in the outcome.

From music to digital storybooks and virtual cartoons, Nelson Mandela University’s arts, culture and heritage department has been spearheading a number of projects aimed at promoting positivity while providing entertainment and education during a time when personal interaction is not allowed.

Be it engineering or entrepreneurial skills, an ability to network, educate or simply to remind us of the positives in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson Mandela University alumni are doing their bit.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, a lot has been said about the global pandemic and its impact on society. Experts and commentators alike have added theirs to the multitude of voices on the impact of the virus that has taken place over the world, and proven to go beyond just a health issue, but a social one too.

Humble Madibaz rugby prop Tembelihle Yase has demonstrated how hard work and a strong support base helped him achieve his aims after a period of great uncertainty when his varsity funding dried up.

The government’s guidelines on containing Covid-19 require considerable revision. They rely far too heavily on the strategy of testing as many people as possible (contact tracing), which has limited yield, and, given the shortages of test kits and the processing backlogs in the labs, this approach will not assist in dealing with this pandemic.

TjopTjop, a new app designed by two South African universities will soon be rolled out to assist schools and businesses to do a faster screening at entrance points and keep accurate digital records. 

The University is aware of the many concerns relating to the return to campus of a limited number of staff and students later this month. Please be assured that plans to this end are well advanced, and that you will be given ample time to prepare, should you be identified to be among the first to return.

Infrastructure and inequality in the Eastern Cape will hamper any efforts by the department of education to save the school year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the health system gaps in the Eastern Cape and nationally. Countrywide, we have to start looking after the health of the entire population in far more streamlined ways, and in close collaboration with the clinicians and health services teams on the ground.

Mandela University Law postgraduate associate Zimbini Mnono and Law Faculty Alumnus Koshesayi Madzika, have had an article published in the June edition of the highly acclaimed law journal, De Rebus.

A swathe of exotic black algae is spreading across the middle reaches of the Swartkops and Sundays estuaries, suffocating fish and raising a red flag for human health.

“At this time, more than any other, we are reminded of the words of Madiba, when he said: ‘It is now in your hands’.”

Many well meaning education benefactors and commentators in South Africa have expressed that in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic online self-guided learning could solve some of the current teaching problems and address the educational backlog.

Short lessons, recorded experiments, career exploration and wellness segments, are just a few of the interventions planned by Mandela University’s STEM IN ACTION’s programme to assist Grade 12 learners once they are back at school.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor Danie Hattingh, Director of eNtsa (the Innovation through Engineering Institute housed at the University) and Professor in Mechanical Engineering, has been announced as one of 2020’s Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (SA Academy for Science & Art) prestigious Award winners, namely the Honorary Medal of the Faculty of Natural Science & Technology.

Real people in real settings playing their part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. That, in short, is what a new series of posters is intent on capturing as part of Nelson Mandela University’s #MaskUpMandela campaign to change behaviour and save lives.

Alumnus Vanessa Mhlom, a business analyst at the Nybble financial technology company in Johannesburg, came up with the idea to develop a Lockdown Levels app to give users detailed updated information about their district’s lockdown level, using a smartphone GPS-tracking capability.  

The sights, sounds, smells, intellect and colours of Africa are being celebrated virtually at Nelson Mandela University today in recognition of Africa Day.

Nelson Mandela University, as an engaged institution, anchored in its resolve towards social justice, has established a Convergence Fund, to provide direct assistance to the needy and most vulnerable persons in our immediate communities.

It’s no secret that climate change, overfishing and pollution are changing the world’s oceans and  that certain key areas need to be protected. But identifying these areas is difficult, especially in the most remote waters on Earth.

Changing behaviour to save lives is the overriding hope of the #MaskUpMandela movement.

Be it song, dance, mime, art, theatre or the spoken word, the visual arts have the capacity to touch – and educate the heart – like nothing else.

In recent weeks, several announcements have been made on developments in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic generally and, with regards to the higher education sector.

Digital technology has taken centrestage and so too has the work of the University’s Centre for Community Technologies (CCT).

Reasons to be Proud: #R2bP - Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Richard Cowling has been elected as one of 62 Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) members profiled in the second edition of Legends of South African Science. 

Can you sew? Do you have material? Are you available to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus by making masks?

In keeping with the level 4 lockdown decisions announced by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande last week, there can be no campus-based learning activity at Nelson Mandela University or any other universities or colleges at present. This also means on-campus residences remain closed.

In the month of May 2020, the Centre for women and gender studies (CWGS) will be looking at Women, Work and Mobility, to honour Workers’ Month but also raise questions around women’s work that continues to carry society through the COVID-19 period, mostly in the retail and health sector.

Recently, government has made several announcements in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In the main, we shift from a national lockdown alert Level 5 to alert Level 4, with the announcement of the plans for the higher education sector to commence the roll-out of a phased return to campus.

In keeping with the strategies to support a multi-modal flexible remote learning and teaching pathway during Level 4 of Lockdown announced by the Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, Nelson Mandela University is putting the following measures in place...

Nelson Mandela University will be paying tribute to frontline workers in its re-imagined celebration of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Jazz Day.

Apart from his research on South Africa’s controversial health care system and already studying for another master’s degree, Nelson Mandela University PhD in Business Management graduate Dr Gideon Botha, is a true role model.

Two students at the Nelson Mandela University George Campus are living examples of how true love can exist in academia.

It wasn’t exactly the Graduation ceremony she had anticipated, but given the present exceptional circumstances, Nelson Mandela University Pharmacy graduate Shanel Kommer is grateful for having been acknowledged.

As the hospitality sector is suffering badly during the COVID-19 lockdown, much will have to be done to restore the sector and Dr Megan Sharrock’s doctoral research will help to better understand guest experiences in hotels.

Computing Sciences’ Prof Andre Calitz and Donald Munro who just received his doctoral degree, started their journey in 1983, when Dr Munro, a Pearson High School matriculant, started his BSc with Prof Calitz who was then also in his first year of lecturing at the then University of Port Elizabeth.

Today, as Nelson Mandela University confers the awarding of qualifications in absentia, we salute the 4 447 students who would have been celebrating at Autumn Graduation this week.

Estuaries, their functioning, conservation and management is the specialist research field of Prof Janine Adams, who has been appointed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the SARCHi Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems at Nelson Mandela University until 2023.

The results of an experimental study carried out among formal and informal traders in East London selling “slap” chips and ice-cream bring a small ray of hope to financially-stretched  small business owners.

While we support the need for Universities to respond as a collective, as to when and the way in which academic activities will resume, we also realise that some responses, will have to be tailor-made to institution-specific conditions.

The University is mourning the loss of Professor Maarten de Wit, an A1-rated National Research Foundation (NRF) scientist and holder of the Chair of Earth Stewardship Science, who died yesterday.

Seeing the need for devices to assist people suffering from Covid-19 and other diseases, a multi-disciplinary team of innovative young engineers based at the Propella Business Incubator in Port Elizabeth have dropped all their other projects to develop a low-cost bag mask ventilator.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: First year Public Management student, Siviwe Dyubhele, has been selected to represent South Africa at the International Model and Talent Association convention, scheduled to take place in New York in July.

With the Covid-19 pandemic hitting South Africa and starting to take root in the Eastern Cape, medical staff at the local Livingstone Hospital are under enormous strain.

Our faculties and academics at Nelson Mandela University have combined forces with hospitals, businesses and communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro to help fight Covid-19 at a time when society needs us the most.

Ulagh Williams has been appointed as the new choir conductor and manager of the Nelson Mandela University’s international award-winning choir.

In doing its part to combat Covid-19, Nelson Mandela University has already donated more than 100 3D-printed visors to Livingstone Hospital.

Do you have sewing skills and want to play your part in the broader societal fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic? Then be part of Nelson Mandela University’s Community Mask Development Project, driven by the Faculty of Humanities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed society to re-imagine space, community, life and engagement. With Online Reading with the Author on Fridays at 13:00 to 14:15 on Microsoft Teams, Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies (CWGS) seeks to create a space to ask questions, make meaning and develop new tools of understanding the current crisis.

As the number of (COVID-19) novel Coronavirus cases escalates in South Africa and the Eastern Cape, efforts to curb the spread of the virus are being intensified, with Nelson Mandela University availing its suite of skills and expertise to support local and provincial government’s efforts in the fight against the unfolding pandemic.

Whales, dolphins, seals and even sea turtles can vocalise under water – and scientists have discovered that penguins can, too. It is the first time seabirds have been found to produce sound under water.

The University continues to encourage and enable staff and students to adhere to and find ways to cope with the national lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Nelson Mandela University’s efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly the institution’s move to manufacture its own hand sanitiser in response to the national shortage, grabbed the attention of the Eastern Cape provincial government.

Nelson Mandela University School of Accounting graduates Hayley Ward and Charis du Plessis did not let national lockdown take the fizz out of festivities on Friday when they learnt they were top and fourth placed students in the national South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) standard setting exam.

E-schools are the future. But are traditional South African schools ready for it? To evaluate and assess the e-readiness of all South African government schools, the Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University helped to develop an easy downloadable app, called the e-ready ICT maturity assessment tool.

The University welcomes Dr Thandi Mgwebi as our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation (RII) from 1 April 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University's 2019 Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA-CTA) graduates achieved the highest pass rate in the country for qualification as Chartered Accountants, placing our University first out of sixteen accredited universities in the country.

As South Africa goes into a national lockdown from today, as part of government’s efforts to flatten the curve and contain the virus, the country woke up to news that it has also registered the first two fatalities as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Eastern Cape communities do not have to fear that they will be left out in the cold during the 21-day lockdown period announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. All the information they need will be available by downloading an app on their mobile phones.

Firstly, I would like to thank our President Cyril Ramaphosa, for his courageous and decisive leadership. Worldwide the COVID-19 pandemic is rampant and is increasing much faster than initially anticipated.  Following the President’s national disaster and nationwide lockdown announcements, we find ourselves in unchartered waters.  

The Accounting Sciences Department at Mandela University has just piloted an online tutorial project to promote online learning in their department.

We note President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from midnight on Thursday, 26 March 2020 to midnight on Thursday, 16 April 2020.

The Eastern Cape recorded its first confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) case on Saturday, 21 March 2020, with the figure increasing to two as at the latest official update on Sunday, 22 March 2020.

Today, about 450 Nelson Mandela University students boarded busses to their homes at various parts across the country.

The impact novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has been declared a global pandemic and a national disaster in South Africa, has created a highly volatile situation that has necessitated a great deal of flexibility in the way that work is conducted.

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Africa continues on the rise, presently at 202, with infections reported at some higher education institutions.

With the current scarcity of large amounts of hand sanitiser, Nelson Mandela University’s own scientists are urgently producing hand sanitiser as part of its efforts in preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The number of confirmed novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in South Africa continues to rise, with the latest figures from Government showing that the country presently stands at 116 infections. This figure is up from 85, as at yesterday (17 March 2020).

Following a consultative meeting today between Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Universities South Africa (USAf) Executive Committee and other stakeholders, a decision was reached to advise Universities and TVET colleges to call for an early Recess from Wednesday, 18 March 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Third year BA Media, Communication & Culture student, Charlize van Zyl, has been chosen to compete in the World Chess Olympiad in Russia in August.

As the extended registration period closes, Nelson Mandela University has done its utmost to assist students, who remain unfunded for various reasons, with securing funding and successfully registering before the end of today (13 March).

Nelson Mandela University recently hosted the second instalment of the FishFORCE Dialogue entitled: “Tightening the Net 2.0” over one and a half days at the North Campus Conference Centre.

Nelson Mandela University as one of the leading drivers of the project in Africa recently hosted the kick-off meeting of Digital Initiatives for African Centres of Excellence - or Digi-Face – which aspires to open up educational access by linking geographically separate participants with user-friendly tools and technology.

Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences will host representatives from the National Treasury for the annual post-budget speech debate on Wednesday (11 March).

Nelson Mandela University recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with bee industry role players to not only ensure the conservation of healthy bee colonies but also to benefit from floral pollination and the resulting seed distribution in sensitive ecosystems.

Nelson Mandela University’s Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy (FishFORCE) is hosting its second annual dialogue, aimed at increasing awareness about fisheries crime, and to engage a variety of international and local agencies and organisations on these issues.

Influential role players and organisations from across the globe, and in particular those from Africa, will gather at Nelson Mandela University on Monday and Tuesday 09 and 10 March to share knowledge, ideas and advances made in beating fisheries and other marine-related crimes.

The country’s 10th medical school, which aims to address the severe shortage of doctors in the Eastern Cape, is well on its way to being launched by April.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Junior Student Life Officer in the residences, Xolela Madlanga, along with three students have been invited as mentors and facilitators to the Rotary Adventures into Citizenship programme in Cape Town in June this year.

The Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies hosted former Malawian president Joyce Banda for a public lecture on women and leadership in Africa on Saturday afternoon.

The University had approached the court on an urgent basis consequent to the protest action which commenced on its campuses on Monday, 17 February 2020 for urgent interdictory relief. 

Following an assessment of the campuses that had been affected by student protests, University operations will continue uninterrupted today.

Yesterday the University reached agreement with the Student Representative Council (SRC) on a number of issues relating to registration and funding.    

The University obtained a final interdict from the High Court on 19 June 2018. The main purpose of the interdict is to protect the rights and safety of those who wish to access the University to work or pursue their studies, whilst also allowing for the right to protest in accordance with the conditions set out in the interdict. 

Nelson Mandela University is in the third week of the 2020 academic year, which is generally a very busy time at higher education institutions countrywide. Mandela University’s academic and support staff have been hard at work to ensure the start of the year runs as smoothly as possible.

A group of protesting students blockaded entrances to some Nelson Mandela University campuses this morning. At the time, the reasons for the blockades had not been communicated to University management through the agreed upon protocols.

Following this morning’s entrance blockages, the Dean of Students received an MoU from the students outlining the reasons for today’s protest action. These had not been formally communicated to University Management, in accordance with the mutually agreed engagement protocol.

The University has been made aware of disruptions to classes and acts of intimidation at other campuses. These actions are totally unacceptable.

Nelson Mandela University recently launched an updated and expanded version of their web platform, after extensive research, planning and stakeholder engagement.

Scientists say lions and rhinos among species at risk from breeding of trophy animals. Lions, rhinos and cheetahs are among the wild species at risk of irreversible “genetic pollution” from breeding experiments, scientists have warned.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nelson Mandela University have joined hands in an effort to advance the legacy of the world icon after which they are named.

Mandela University's Architecture lecturer Dr Magda Minguzzi recently received a traditional necklace from the Oeswana Bushmen tribe, of the first indigenous peoples of South Africa, located mainly in the northern area of Nelson Mandela Bay. 

Nelson Mandela University will host more than 8000 first-year students and their parents and guardians at its annual Welcoming Ceremony on Saturday, 25 January.

The world’s oceans cover 70% of the planet and are a critical source of oxygen, food, marine resources, employment and subsistence. Knowledge of what is being done to conserve our oceans and to ensure that the so-called blue economy is sustainably developed is therefore vital.

We are currently experiencing high volumes of calls and online enquiries and are doing our best to assist and reply as quickly as possible. In the interim, herewith information and links to help you, based on the most requested queries we have been receiving.

As we move towards the start of the 2020 academic year, herewith an update on our current situation in terms of admissions, finanical aid, registration etc.

Professor Sibongile Muthwa, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Nelson Mandela University, took up the reins as Universities South Africa Chairperson from 1 January, 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Lecturer in the School of Information Technology and PhD candidate, Vuyo Mdunyelwa, recently attended and presented a paper at the 4th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Young Scientist Forum (YSF), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

Prospective students who, for various reasons, have not applied to or been accepted to a tertiary institution for their 2020 studies are encouraged to use the opportunity to apply for placement using government’s Central Applications Clearing House (CACH).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Masters in Engineering student, Michelle Ngugi, recently won first prize for the best presentation of her paper at the African Laser Centre (ALC) Conference held in Stellenbosch. 

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor Hennie van As from the Department of Public Law at Nelson Mandela University has been appointed as the regional coordinator for Africa (south of the Sahara) and the Indian Ocean Small Island Sates for the Global Access to Justice Project.

Please note that the University is NOT receiving late applications. Late applications must be directed to the DHET central application clearing house (CACH) as from 13 January 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Ayanda Simayi, a Nelson Mandela University and CERMESA* PhD scholarship recipient in the Faculty of Education will present a paper exploring cultural taboos in India this month.

Following the extensive outreach campaign, which saw NSFAS officials reaching out to small towns and rural areas, we are happy to report that by November 30, 2019 the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) had received a record number of 543 268 first-time ever applications (prior year 428 929) by the closing date.

Nelson Mandela University has noted with concern that there are postings in the social and digital media concerning a student who indicates that she completed a Master’s degree at the university in five months.

Prospective students who, for various reasons, have not applied for or been accepted to a tertiary institution for their 2020 studies are encouraged to use the opportunity to apply for placement using government’s Central Applications Clearing House (CACH).

The Executive Council of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government has approved the Oceans economy master plan, giving a green light for the implementation of this strategy estimated to inject R10.4 billion into the provincial economy and create about 33 785 jobs after the first five years of its implementation.

The thrill of walking across the stage in graduation attire, being capped and looking out into the crowd to see family and friends beaming with pride is one that Kwanele Mlinganiso does not mind getting addicted to.

Nelson Mandela University’s summer graduation kicked off today (10 December), and will see higher certificates, diplomas and under- and postgraduate degrees conferred to more than 2400 students over eight sessions this week.

Nelson Mandela University has entered into a research partnership with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Lyon 1, which will see the institution being home to a first of its kind collaborative research and training hub.

From solid shampoo bars to instant stain removers. These were part of the BSc Formulation Science honours students’ product showcase presented last week.

In an effort to address the challenges and opportunities of the 4^th Industrial Revolution and the social and economic needs of citizens in the Eastern and Western Cape, the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences department is hosting a 10 day summer school.

Reason to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University student, Gabangaye Shongwe, got international recognition as a Highly Commended entrant in the Music, Film and Theatre category of the Undergraduate Awards at its Global Summit held in the Irish capital, Dublin, recently.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Honorary Professor in Information Technology, Rossouw von Solms, was honoured with a "Distinguished Service in ICT award" at the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) President's Awards this week.

Nelson Mandela Bay music lovers are in for a musical feast served by some of the Bay’s most talented musos with this year’s Isisusa Concert on Friday.

Reasons to be Proud UPDATE - #R2bP: Mechanical Engineering BTech student, Byron Blakey-Milner's optimised titanium mountain bike frame which made the top 38 entries in the world in the 2019 Permundus Challenge, won the Public Choice Award.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Two 2nd-year Physics students - Tamera Morgan and Elizabeth van der Merwe competed in the Rosatom Atoms for Africa Online Video Competition and received the topmost marks from all jury members – winning them a trip to Russia as special guests of Rosatom.

Two programming apps that don’t require computers played a key role in bringing the world of coding to 11 500 learners across Nelson Mandela Bay in October.

A collection of artistic, academic and musical interpretations of an ocean-based pilgrimage across various water sources in the coastal Port Elizabeth city is currently being exhibited at Nelson Mandela University’s Bird Street Art Gallery.

Reasons to be proud - #R2bP: Professor Brenda Scholtz and Master’s student in Computer Science, Faith Moyo received the runner-up award for Best Paper at the 4th International Conference on the Internet, Cyber Security and Information Systems (ICICS).

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Staff and students from the Department of Quantity Surveying were acknowledged for their excellent work at The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) International Research Conference in Johannesburg.

Nelson Mandela University is managing Port Elizabeth’s first pollen and spore sampler, which will allow the city’s hay fever sufferers to access up-to-date pollen counts online.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Stemming from a simple desire to curb water bills for the disadvantaged, Neo Mabunda and Zain Imran designed a water meter prototype that scooped two awards at the 2019 Sita ICT Public Service awards held in Durban last week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Professor in the Department of Statistics at Mandela University, Prof Igor Litvine, and his PhD student, Farai Mlambo were awarded the Best Paper prize at the recent ESM Conference in Spain.

The Nelson Mandela University has steadily stayed the course in digital transformation. Plans are afoot to seize opportunities presented through technology right across the institution. This enterprise is multifaceted, complex and fraught with risk. The journey to digitalisation is far-reaching and affects entire organisations.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Adding some more local flavour to the Springboks Rugby World Cup win, is Mandela University Sports Management Alumnus, Lindsay Weyer – the team’s Technical Assistant.

An environmentally aware legal eagle, a socially conscious leadership development promoter and a renowned automotives exporter were among the group of Nelson Mandela University graduates lauded at the 10^th annual Alumni Awards on Friday night.

When Ayanda Martin left his home town of Dimbaza in the Eastern Cape, in search of opportunity in Port Elizabeth, he did not think that just seven years later he would be so close to achieving what once seemed like a pipe dream.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mandela University final year Law student, Gamuchirai Mudehwe, and Master’s in Philosophy and Linguistics student, Luan Staphorst have been selected as part of the 54 exceptional young African leaders to join The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship class of 2020.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Chemistry’s  Dr Gletwyn Rubidge recently showed off his sporting skills by being awarded South African colours for free-diving and in addition, breaking three SA records at an international competition in Cyprus last month.

For the first three months of the academic year, Nelson Mandela University BEd student Heather Wilkinson did not know if her bursary application would be approved or not and, as a result, she could not afford to buy the necessary textbooks.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: At the forefront of technology and innovation are class of 2016 BEng Mechatronics graduates, Matthew Venter and Theo Weyers who were recently selected as finalists in MTN’s Internet of Things (IoT) Awards. They were recognised for their modular and advanced IOT-enabled platform.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Nelson Mandela University won the runner-up award at the Higher Education Facilities Management Association of Southern Africa (HEFMA) awards ceremony earlier this month. This award is granted solely on renewable energy initiatives implemented at any institution and savings should also be reflected.

Nelson Mandela University is confident that it has moved a step closer to establishing the country’s 10^th Medical School following the evaluation and approval visit of the Health Professions Council of South African (HPCSA) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE) this week.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: BA Media, Communication and Culture (MCC) student, Gabangaye Shongwe is among this year’s regional winners of the annual Undergraduate Awards, recognised in the Music, Film and Theatre category.

Nelson Mandela University currently has 11 nGAP (soon to be 12) lecturers and intends to employ four more for Phase 5 of the programme by 2020, says acting Research Capacity Development Director, Dr Denise Schael.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: BTech Mechanical Engineering student Zaahid Imran, a team member in the Advanced Engineering Design Group in Mechanical Engineering, has been announced as one of the Top 5 Winners in the 2019 National RAPDASA Design Competition. 

Making it through to the finals has raised extraordinary passion in South Africa not seen since the country’s last victory in the World Cup in 2007. Even that was not a patch on 1995 when, emerging slowly and painfully from apartheid, the country saw its newly elected President, Nelson Mandela, don the ‘green and gold’ Springbok rugby jersey to watch South Africa play – and beat – New Zealand’s All Blacks, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: 2019 has been an auspicious year for the Visual Arts department with four graphic design students being nominated as finalists for the renowned packaging design competition, Student Goldpack and one student winning the Gold Trophy for the best design nationally.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Mechanical Engineering BTech student, Byron Blakey-Milner's optimised titanium mountain bike frame has made the top 38 entries in the world in the 2019 Permundus Challenge.

Meandering through the Nelson Mandela University Art Gallery one can be forgiven for questioning if art truly does replicate life as your eyes are drawn to fascinating creations from North Korea.

The world’s freshwater supplies are at risk. This is a threat to all life on the planet. It’s therefore no surprise that water purification has turned into a multibillion dollar global business.

Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, met with vice- chancellors from the country’s 26 universities in Johannesburg on 23 October 2019.

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Budding stock market investors Kyle Johnston, a second year BSc Computer Science student and Francois Burden, a third year Mechatronics student, were runners-up in the 2019 JSE Investment Challenge for university students.