Vice-Chancellor's Profile

Professor Sibongile Muthwa

Professor Muthwa is the Vice-Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. She holds a PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and an MSc in Development Policy and Planning from London School of Economics and Political Science.

She has a distinguished career both in South Africa, and internationally, working in both development and public sector institutions, as well as in academia. Between 2010 and 2017 she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support, at Nelson Mandela University.

Professor Muthwa currently serves as a member of Universities South Africa [USAf] a membership organisation representing all South Africa’s universities, that promotes and facilitates optimum conditions for universities to operate effectively and contribute to social, cultural and economic development.

Prior to joining the university, she served as Director General of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government [2004 and 2010]. Upon her return to South Africa, before joining government, she was Director of the Fort Hare Institute of Government.

She is deeply committed to gender justice, social inclusion and active democratic participation, and accordingly serves on a number of Boards and advisory structures, including from 2014 as a Commissioner of the Financial and Fiscal Commission, and serving as its Deputy Chairperson from 2017-2019.

Global Initiatives | Partnerships and Engagements

Oldenburg 25 Year Partnership

The University of Oldenburg, Germany, has been cooperating with Nelson Mandela University since 1998. Originally established in the field of education, the cooperation is now active and successful in a wide range of disciplines.

2023: Advancing Mandela University: Consolidating the Gains, Charting the Future Together

Commencing her second term of office in 2023, our VC reflects on the highlights and challenges of the past five years and looking into the future to consolidate the gains we have made as a university in the service of society.

Africa Engagement Tour

A delegation from the University embarked on the first leg of a multi-leg Africa Engagement Tour visiting Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

2022: USA Relationship Building and Resource Mobilisation Trip

During October 2022, our VC along with other University representatives Washington DC and New York in the USA, reconnecting with existing members of our US-based ecosystem and cultivating relationships with potential new members.

Achieving Nelson Mandela University? book launched in Gqeberha

A book exploring the origins, evolution and future of Nelson Mandela University was launched at the institution’s North Campus on 30 July 2024. Co-edited by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sibongile Muthwa, and historian Dr Denver Webb, it has contributions from a cross-section of authors from different backgrounds, disciplines and generations.

Mandela University launches its own publishing press

The Mandela University Press, which has been years in the making and received its approval from the University’s executive management committee in 2021, is the first university press in the Eastern Cape. It adds to the other seven scholarly presses in the country, based within and outside universities.

Nelson Mandela University presents draft Safety and Security Strategy

The draft strategy stems from a comprehensive report assessing emerging security risks within the sector and across all Mandela University campuses. It incorporates insights from benchmarking exercises and peer assessments with other universities in South Africa.

Nourish minds, feed futures initiative launched by Nelson Mandela University

The fundraising drive addresses student food insecurity and the need for bursaries. With rising cost of living and fees across the country, many young people who would otherwise be good students face an impossible choice between eating or learning.

Groundbreaking study to accelerate green hydrogen international production and export infrastructure

A consortium led by Nelson Mandela University and Ikigai Group has won a UK Government grant under the South Africa-UK PACT programme to deliver an innovative feasibility study to explore the viability of Green Hydrogen Production and Export Infrastructure from South Africa's Eastern Cape region to global markets, including the UK, Europe, and Japan.

State-of-the-art Science Centre launched at Nelson Mandela University

The Science Centre, situated on the Ocean Sciences Campus, is a dynamic hub designed to cater to learners, students, scholars, academics and the wider public.

Dr Lungile – your legacy will live on

I can still hear him saying: “I almost don’t believe that we have come this far,” while he was standing in one of the lecture halls of our university’s new medical school.

Issue 11 - Jun 2024

Minister of Higher Education, Training, Science and Innovation, the Honourable Professor Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande, launched Nelson Mandela University’s state-of-the-art Science Centre on Friday, 15 March.

Issue 10 - Dec 2023

Nelson Mandela University is asking all alumni, donors, corporates, students and supporters to pledge from 14 November for “Giving Tuesday” on 28 November as part of our global Giving Campaign launched in July.