The name Nelson Mandela University honors Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist and the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Nelson was a champion of freedom and democracy who believed education was the most powerful weapon for changing the world.
Nelson Mandela University is a South African higher education institution named after the renowned anti-apartheid activist and politician.
In 2005, three distinct universities merged to form one entity, initially named Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The institution was renamed Nelson Mandela University in 2017. It boasts six campuses, with its central administration in the coastal city of Gqeberha and an additional campus in George.
The Nelson Mandela University Business School (NMUBS) is located in Gquberha. It is the first public campus to earn a “green” design rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.
NMUBS offers a comprehensive suite of business programs, including an MBA degree, a Doctorate of Business Administration, and specialized master’s degrees such as the Master of Maritime Management.
Nelson Mandela championed the idea that education is the key driver of change. In his own words, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Despite his parents’ illiteracy, education paved the way for Nelson’s success. It enabled him to become a lawyer, a political activist, a bestselling author, and ultimately, the President of South Africa. He dreamed of giving all South Africans the same opportunities he had.
Naming the institution after Nelson Mandela is a fitting tribute to South Africa’s most cherished leader. Let’s dive into the inspiring story of the institution’s namesake.
Apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa in 1948 when the white Afrikaner’s National Party came to power. This system concentrated authority within the white minority, leaving the majority black population without political rights.
The end of apartheid came about after international condemnation and relentless internal activism. Rolihlahla “Nelson” Mandela played a leading role in the struggle for freedom.
Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was born in Mvezo as a member of the Madiba clan of the Xhosa people. In primary school, a teacher gave him the Christian name Nelson.
Nelson’s thirst for education was integral to his personality. He ventured to Johannesburg and embarked on a legal career that laid the groundwork for his political activism. His stance against colonialism and apartheid propelled him into leadership roles within the African National Congress (ANC). As a leader of the ANC, Nelson advocated for a free society where all races could coexist in harmony.
His legal practice became a haven for those oppressed by apartheid. Yet, his political activism led to a sentence of life imprisonment in 1962 after the Rivonia Trial.
In 1990, after his family and the ANC organized a long campaign, Nelson finally walked free from prison. Many view his release as the beginning of a new dawn for South Africa. In 1993, he and F.W. de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid peacefully. The following year, he became the country’s first black and truly democratically elected president.
In his post-presidential years, Nelson devoted himself to philanthropy and promoting peace. He advocated for democracy, equity, and education until his passing in 2013. His legacy as an icon of resilience and reconciliation continues to inspire generations, championing the causes of justice and human rights worldwide.
As a global icon who championed freedom, Nelson Mandela’s spirit of leadership and dedication to change continues to inspire the university’s mission. Nelson Mandela University actively embodies the values of its namesake, including ubuntu (humanity to others), social justice, equality, and environmental stewardship.
The Nelson Mandela University Business School fosters a culture of academic rigor coupled with social responsibility, equipping students to lead ethically in the dynamic world of business.
Learn more about the MBA and master’s degree programs at Nelson Mandela University Business School.
