Universities South Africa

29/05/2026

Day 1 of the Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Workshop 2026 offered rich insights and served as a strategic platform for aligning institutional leadership with EDHE’s core pillars.

28/05/2026

The Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Workshop 2026 has officially commenced in Cape Town.

Hosted by the EDHE - Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, an initiative of Universities South Africa in partnership with the Department of higher Education & Training, the workshop is taking place under the theme “From Policy to Impact”.

The engagement focuses on driving real-world outcomes in entrepreneurial education and supporting the repositioning of South Africa’s public universities as entrepreneurial institutions.

For more information about the day's proceedings, visit the USAf website to read about it: https://usaf.ac.za/the-policy-to-performance-executive-workshop-on-driving-real-world-outcomes-in-entrepreneurial-education-is-underway/

28/05/2026

11/05/2026

07/05/2026

(USAF) acknowledges the Minister’s decision to place under administration but cautions that temporary interventions won’t fix deep-rooted structural flaws. While welcoming the appointment of Professor Mathebula and assurances of continued funding, USAF warns that repeated cycles of crisis, administration, and partial recovery only destabilise the sector and harm students.

01/05/2026

Universities South Africa (USAf) has entered into a partnership with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) to support the development of a coordinated approach to artificial intelligence (AI) across South Africa’s higher education sector.

Backed by an estimated R8 million in-kind grant, the initiative will support all 26 public universities in strengthening their capacity to adopt and apply AI across teaching, learning, research, and administration.

The partnership is being rolled out in phases, entailing:

• A survey to assess sector readiness for AI adoption (completed in 2025)
• Sector-wide consultative workshops from December 2025 to November 2026 to co-create a consolidated plan for AI adoption
• Capacity development through the IBM SkillsBuild programme, enabling access to over 1000 online courses and certifications in AI, data science, and digital innovation

This partnership aims to equip the sector to respond to technological change meaningfully and sustainably while strengthening its contribution to research, innovation, and societal development. Training will roll out from 2027.



Read the full article here: https://usaf.ac.za/usaf-and-ibm-partner-to-strengthen-ai-capacity-across-south-african-universities/

30/04/2026

An ambitious R520 million new university bursary scheme, just launched this year, will help more than 5000 South African university students achieve their tertiary ambitions – thanks to a partnership between Universities South Africa and the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA).

Find the full statement here:https://usaf.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/A-new-R520-million-bursary-scheme-will-help-more-than-5000-SA-university-students-1.pdf

30/04/2026

Universities South Africa (USAf) notes with concern recent public statements by members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, calling for detailed disclosures on the employment of foreign academics, particularly those not deemed to possess “scarce skills”.

Read the full statement here:https://usaf.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/USAf-makes-the-case-for-global-talent-in-SAs-universities.pdf

30/04/2026

A warm welcome to Ms Gcinekile (Gcina) Thembile Nhleko

Universities South Africa (USAf) is pleased to welcome Ms Gcinekile (Gcina) Thembile Nhleko as Manager: Corporate Communications, effective 7 April 2026.

Gcina brings over 15 years of experience across corporate, higher education, and development sectors. Her journey has taken her from Transnet Port Terminals to senior leadership at the University of Zululand, and most recently to leading communications strategy for a USAID-supported public health programme.

She joins USAf with a strong focus on strengthening communication across the sector, improving digital engagement, and ensuring that complex higher education issues are communicated clearly and meaningfully.

Beyond her professional achievements, Gcina is a family-oriented individual who enjoys reading, travelling, and quiet reflection. She describes her leadership style as collaborative and believes communication should act as a bridge rather than a barrier.
Her appointment comes as Ms Mateboho Green concludes an impactful 13-year tenure at USAf.

We wish Gcina every success in her new role.

Read more about Ms Nhleko's appointment: https://usaf.ac.za/a-widely-celebrated-corporate-communication-executive-takes-over-the-reins-at-the-usaf-office/

22/04/2026

Universities South Africa (USAf) notes, with serious concern, the recent article published by Daily Investor on 19 April 2026, titled “South Africa’s biggest universities are collapsing.” The article makes sweeping and damaging claims, which, rather than contributing constructively to an informed public discourse, serve to undermine confidence in the public higher education system.

Read more in the statement attached: https://usaf.ac.za/usaf-rejects-unfounded-and-sensationalist-claims-of-collapsing-south-africas-universities/