Universities South Africa

Universities South Africa Universities South Africa (USAf) is an association of South Africa’s 26 public universities.

The organisation’s primary mandate is to support its 26 members in the achievement of their core functions of teaching and learning, research and community engagement, and to create an environment where universities can thrive and prosper, and contribute effectively to South Africa’s development.

Meet the Speaker: Professor Thandwa MthembuHow do we create a resilient future without first understanding the realities...
17/09/2026

Meet the Speaker: Professor Thandwa Mthembu

How do we create a resilient future without first understanding the realities shaping higher education today?

Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Durban University of Technology, will address this compelling question in his keynote, “Creating a Resilient Future: Understanding the Present.”

Professor Mthembu brings 38 years of experience in academia, including 30 years in senior and executive leadership. His scholarship, visionary leadership and extensive service to national and international higher education bodies have helped shape South Africa’s higher education landscape.

Join us at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference for this thought-provoking keynote.

16/09/2026

CALL FOR PROPOSALS/QUOTATIONS

Women in Leadership (WiL) Programme: certified coaches

The Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) programme seeks to appoint a pool of certified coaches on a consultancy basis for the Women in Leadership (WiL) Programme.

WiL offers its participants six individual coaching sessions as part of the programme. Each coach will be allocated between one and five coachees. Coaches will be coordinated and managed by the WiL Programme Leader. Coaching activities will take place from November 2026 to March 2027.

Consultants must:
Preferably have a relevant postgraduate degree.

Be fully qualified coaches (copies of accredited coach training certificates as well as registration with a professional coaching association, or registration with the HSPCA, to be submitted with application/proposal).

Have at least 3 – 5 years of experience as a coach.

Read more in the Terms of Reference (attached).

Interested individuals may submit proposals by 16:00 on Friday, 02 October 2026.

Submissions must be addressed to Ms Molatelo Motswe at [email protected].

Vice - Chancellors and Chancellors representing 26 Public Universities in South AfricaUniversities South Africa
12/09/2026

Vice - Chancellors and Chancellors representing 26 Public Universities in South Africa

Universities South Africa

On 11 September 2026, at The Origins Centre at the Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Universities So...
12/09/2026

On 11 September 2026, at The Origins Centre at the Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Universities South Africa (USAf) convened a Chancellors’ Thought Leadership Event.

The conversations centred around various themes on the role Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors play in Strengthening Public Trust in Higher Education.

Present in the audience, as well as part of the speaker line-up, were:

Prof Francis Petersen VC & Principal, University of Pretoria - Universities South Africa Chairperson
Dr Phethiwe Matutu - Universities South Africa CEO
Advocate Mojanku Gumbi Chancellor - University Of Venda
Dr Judy Dlamini Chancellor - Wits - University of the Witwatersrand
Prof Brian Figaji - Chancellor Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Dr Naledi Grace Pandor – Chancellor Nelson Mandela University
Mr Thebe Ikalafeng - Chancellor Sol Plaatje University
Dr Reuel Khoza – Chancellor University of KwaZulu-Natal
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba – Chancellor The University of the Western Cape
Apostle Dr Mandlenkosi Dlomo – Chancellor University Of Zululand
Mr Vincent Mntambo – Chancellor Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Prof Nokuthula Kunene, Vice-Chancellor ,University of Zululand
Professor Sizwe Mabizela Vice-Chancellor - Rhodes University
Mr. Mahlubi Mabizela - Director Operations & Sector Support Universities South Africa
Dr. Edwell Gumbo, PhD - Director: EDHE - Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at USAf
Prof Prof Peter Mbati - Director Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) at USAf
Ms Gcina Thembile Nhleko (APR, MBA) - Manager Corporate Communications at USAf
Ms. Thuli Dladla - Senior Manager CEOs office USAf

On 11 September 2026, at The Origins Centre at the Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Universities So...
11/09/2026

On 11 September 2026, at The Origins Centre at the Wits - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Universities South Africa (USAf) convened a Chancellors’ Thought Leadership Event.

The conversations centred around various themes on the role Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors play in Strengthening Public Trust in Higher Education.

Present in the audience, as well as part of the speaker line-up, were:

Prof Francis Petersen VC & Principal, University of Pretoria Universities South Africa Chairperson
Dr Phethiwe Matutu - Universities South Africa CEO
Advocate Mojanku Gumbi Chancellor - University Of Venda
Dr Judy Dlamini Chancellor - University of the Witwatersrand
Prof Brian Figaji - Chancellor Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Dr Naledi Grace Pandor – Chancellor Nelson Mandela University
Mr Thebe Ikalafeng - Chancellor Sol Plaatje University
Dr Reuel Khoza – Chancellor University of KwaZulu-Natal
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba – Chancellor The University of the Western Cape
Apostle Dr Mandlenkosi Dlomo – Chancellor University Of Zululand
Mr Vincent Mntambo – Chancellor Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Professor Sizwe Mabizela Vice-Chancellor - Rhodes University
Mr. Mahlubi Mabizela - Director Operations & Sector Support Universities South Africa
Dr. Edwell Gumbo, PhD - Director: EDHE - Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education at USAf
Prof Prof Peter Mbati - Director Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) at USAf
Ms Gcina Thembile Nhleko (APR, MBA) - Manager Corporate Communications at USAf
Ms. Thuli Dladla - Senior Manager CEOs office USAf

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education ConferenceAs we count down to the 4th Universi...
11/09/2026

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference

As we count down to the 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference, we’ll be introducing some of the speakers who will bring their insights, experience and perspectives to the conversation.

Over the coming weeks, look out for our Meet the Speakers series as we showcase the people whose contributions will help us explore the challenges, opportunities and future of South African higher education.

Professor Luvuyo Lumkile Lalendle brings more than three decades of experience in the higher education sector, with a career spanning both academic practice and institutional leadership. He holds a PhD in Educational Administration and Leadership from Michigan State University, with a particular focus on the meaning, construction and practice of leadership in South African higher education.

Over the course of his career, Professor Lalendle has progressed from Lecturer to Vice-Rector, gaining extensive leadership experience within a multi-campus university environment.
We look forward to welcoming Professor Lalendle to the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference, taking place from 7–9 October 2026.

Event details:

Date: 7–9 October 2026
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria
Register now: https://usaf.ac.za/the-4th-usaf-higher-education-conference/

Universities South Africa

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education ConferenceAs we count down to the 4th Universi...
10/09/2026

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference

As we count down to the 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference, we’ll be introducing some of the speakers who will bring their insights, experience and perspectives to the conference.

Over the coming weeks, look out for our Meet the Speakers series as we showcase the people and conversations that will help us explore the challenges, opportunities and future of South African higher education.

Professor Joey Chifamba (Ph.D nano-pharmaceutics) is a translational sciences, nanotechnologist, and health innovations expert, both by qualification and experience, with over 20 years of dual academic and industrial experience. He will join the conversation by speaking on the “Academic Innovation for a Changing World”.

His primary professional residency is the University of Zimbabwe, where he is appointed as the Head of Innovations for medical technologies and health solutions. He is also appointed as a visiting professor by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the USA, where he works as an advanced biomaterials innovations project scientist under the Paul Weiss group.

Event details:

Date: 7–9 October 2026
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria
Register now: https://usaf.ac.za/the-4th-usaf-higher-education-conference/

Universities South Africa

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education ConferenceProfessor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a g...
09/09/2026

Meet the voices shaping the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference

Professor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a globally recognised scholar, academic leader and public intellectual whose distinguished career spans seven countries: Zimbabwe, Malawi, Britain, Canada, Jamaica, Kenya and the United States.

Throughout his career, he has served at 14 universities, holding leadership positions ranging from department chair to university president. He has also played an active role in academic organisations, including serving as President of the U.S. African Studies Association and as a member of the Administrative Board of the International Association of Universities.

His work extends beyond academia, with collaborations involving major philanthropic foundations and intergovernmental agencies on higher education and development initiatives.

We are delighted to welcome Professor Zeleza to the conversation at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference, taking place from 7–9 October 2026.

Join us as leading voices from across the higher education sector come together to engage, challenge perspectives and shape the future of higher education.

Event Details:

Date: 7–9 October 2026
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria
Register now: https://usaf.ac.za/the-4th-usaf-higher-education-conference/

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE PROVIDERS: WRITING SERVICES The purpose of these terms of reference is...
08/09/2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE PROVIDERS: WRITING SERVICES

The purpose of these terms of reference is to appoint service providers to USAf for the purpose of writing services for the period from 1 October 2026 to 31 September 2027.

Responses to be directed to: Mr Vhutali Munyai : [email protected] and cc: Ms Gcinekile Nhleko: [email protected]

The closing date for submission of the proposal is 11 September 2026, at exactly 10h00.

The project will commence from 01 October 2026, and it will run until 31 October 2027, OR until the allocated funds are exhausted.

Please refer to the ToR for more information

Universities South Africa

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES The purpose of these ter...
08/09/2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

The purpose of these terms of reference is to appoint a consultant to provide Publications Communications services to Universities South Africa (USAf).

The Communications Consultant is required to:

Contribute ideas towards promoting the Universities South Africa brand.
Support the Communications Manager in implementing USAf’s strategic brand management through executing external and internal communications functions. Copywriting and extensive liaison with universities will characterise this function during 2026-2027.
Assume digital communication responsibility by maintaining the USAf website and social media platforms.
Monitor and track the performance of USAf’s digital communications platforms through the use of Google Analytics or similar tools; draw strategic insights and recommend informed improvements.
Advice on the appropriate use and management of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
Report to the Manager: Corporate Communications.

The project will commence as soon as the purchase order is issued for a period of 12 months from the date of signing of the contract.

The proposal/quotation for the envisaged project should be submitted to Mr Vhutali Munyai via the e-mail address: [email protected] and should CC Ms Gcinekile Nhleko on [email protected]

The closing date for submission of the proposal is 11 September 2026 at 10 am.

Please refer to the ToR for more information.

Universities South Africa

Address

1267 Pretorious Street, 1st Floor Block D & E Hadefields Office Park, Hatfield
Pretoria
0083

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 07:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 07:30 - 16:30
Thursday 07:30 - 16:30
Friday 07:30 - 16:30

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