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 the Chairperson 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. She further serves on the Presidential Human Resource Development Council.
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.
Mandela University and AIDC partnership
Nelson Mandela University has partnered with the Eastern Cape Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC-EC) towards the provision of relevant industry-aligned degree programmes aimed at bolstering the manufacturing sector and provincial economy.
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Medical School first mooted in 1946
Nelson Mandela University’s innovative new medical school is a dream come true, not only for the university but also for the province.
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Mandela Uni pushes to vaccinate up to 500 people per day
Youth Month, June 2021, the month Nelson Mandela University launched its vaccination programme, will be remembered at our institution as a critical moment in the ongoing battle to contain and turn the tide against the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Experts unpack ‘the engaged university’ in challenging times
The notion of the engaged university is far removed from its historical definitional identity.
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University vaccine rollout gaining momentum
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.
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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.
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Updates from our Vice-Chancellor
Issue 7 - Aug 2022
After two years of virtual graduation
ceremonies, the mask-to-mask Autumn
2022 Graduation season was a series of joyous
events.
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Issue 6 - May 2022
Record enrolment of first-time entering students in 2022.
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Issue 5 - Nov 2021
Supporting the fight against COVID-19, looking out for each other, and the Medical School dream realised.
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Issue 4 - Nov/Dec 2019
Our focus is on actioning our transformation goals, facing our challenges but celebrating the progress we have made.
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Issue 3 - Aug 2019
Onwards and upwards in pursuit of student success, entrepreneurship and employability - widening access to higher education.
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Issue 2 - May 2019
We are poised to achieve our targets for 2019 and we feel ready and able
to take our university forward – from good to great – in service to society.
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Issue 1 - Dec 2018
The organising theme of our work over the next five years, is to position our intellectual and social project in service to Society.
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Excellence Awards 2021
Message to staff at end of 2021