Unisa is Africa’s premier distance learning institution. We are a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible Open Distance Learning institution.

Pretoria, South Africa
Joined July 2009
Professor Godwell Nhamo, in his capacity as COMMRE Chair and Acting Head of the Unisa Institute for Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, acknowledged the conference’s key partners and sponsors, including: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment The Department of Transport The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) South African Tourism, among others. Reflecting on COMMRE 2026, Professor Nhamo highlighted the Unisa Marine and Coastal Studies Strategic Document of June 2024, which challenges Unisa staff to “Rise, Engage, and Leave Nobody Behind in Marine and Coastal Studies at UNISA and beyond!” #Unisa150andBeyond #COMMRE2026 #BlueEconomy
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Team Solulu Elevate won Unisa's 2026 Hackathon with an AI-powered solution designed to identify and support students at risk of falling behind. The innovation advances SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while supporting Unisa's Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation and Student Support and Co-curricular Activities Catalytic Niche Areas. ow.ly/rELl5100WOg #Unisa150andBeyond #UnisaCSET
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Unisa Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Puleng @LenkaBula, officially welcomed delegates and opened the inaugural International Conference on Coastal, Marine and Maritime Research (COMMRE) 2026 in Durban. In her address, she emphasised the vital role of science, research and collaboration in protecting ocean ecosystems, strengthening climate resilience and unlocking Africa’s blue economy potential. She called for a shared responsibility to ensure that marine resources are managed sustainably for the benefit of current and future generations.   #unisa150andbeyond #COMMRE2026  #BlueEconomy
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The University of South Africa (UNISA) is hosting the International Conference on Coastal, Marine and Maritime Research (COMMRE) 2026 in Durban from 27 to 30 October 2026.   The conference brings together senior university leadership, academics, government representatives and key stakeholders in the maritime sector to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen research collaboration and advance dialogue on critical coastal, marine and maritime issues.   Distinguished attendees include the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa; Unisa Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Puleng @LenkaBula, senior university leadership, representatives from the coastal regions, officials from the Department of Transport; and representatives of the South African Navy. #Unisa150andBeyond | #COMMRE2026 | #BlueEconomy
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Today, 27 October, Unisa reaffirms its academic autonomy and commitment to advancing knowledge for the benefit of society. Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Puleng @LenkaBula reflects on our resilience, achievements and role in shaping Africa’s future. #Unisa150andBeyond
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Unisa hosts the International Conference on Coastal, Marine and Maritime Research at the Durban ICC! The conference provides a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and engagement to advance research, innovation and sustainability across coastal, marine and maritime fields. By hosting this event, Unisa strengthens partnerships and creates opportunities for collaboration, reaffirming its commitment to research that makes a meaningful impact. 📅 27–30 October 2026 📍 Durban ICC, South Africa 🔹 Theme: Advancing Science, Innovation, and Equity within the UN Oceans Decade #Unisa150andBeyond | #COMMRE2026 | #BlueEconomy
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Unisa has celebrated 25 new PhD graduates whose research is advancing scientific discovery, technological innovation and solutions to South Africa's industrial and developmental challenges. Their achievements support SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), while reflecting Unisa's commitment to developing the next generation of researchers and innovators. ow.ly/N0f75100t35 #Unisa150andBeyond #UnisaGraduations #ResearchExcellence #SDG4 #SDG8 #SDG9
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At 71, former NAFCOC president Sabelo Macingwane has proven that learning has no age limit. Graduating with a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) from Unisa, his achievement reflects a lifelong commitment to education, leadership and economic development. His journey supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), while reflecting the goals of Unisa's Student Support and Co-curricular Activities Catalytic Niche Area. ow.ly/7ctL5100sVU #Unisa150andBeyond #UnisaGraduations #LifelongLearning #SDG4 #SDG8
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What does a reliable transport system look like? Safer journeys, fewer delays and transport people can depend on. At the launch of October Transport Month 2026, hosted by Unisa's SBL, transport leaders explored how to build a more reliable and accessible transport system for all. The discussion supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), while advancing Unisa's Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation Catalytic Niche Area. ow.ly/MVzx50ZYpyF #Unisa150andBeyond #UnisaSBL
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President Mbeki argues that declining political trust reflects disappointment with failures to improve people’s lives. His challenge: examine why delivery failed before concluding that political parties themselves are the problem. @Unisaradio @Unisa @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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Interactive Session with the Patron | Dr Thabisile Mtshali, @MbekiSchool Postdoctoral Fellow. “Mr President, local governments are expected to deliver development and democracy at the grassroots. Yet in most African countries, they lack the authority, resources, institutional capacity and autonomy to do so, and many operate under weak financial management and unstable political arrangements. They are judged mainly by their ability to provide basic services, and they are not treated as platforms for creating jobs, building enterprises, local industrialisation, agricultural value chains and inclusive economic transformation. South Africa shows what this looks like in practice. Even the basics are failing. Only 39 of the country’s 257 municipalities achieved a clean audit, a sign of the weak financial management that erodes capacity, and poor water, electricity and sanitation services are a common experience for citizens. Coalition politics has produced uneven results, and where agreements are unstable, disputes over budgets, seats and leadership have weakened service delivery and public trust. Municipalities that struggle to deliver the basics cannot become engines of jobs, enterprises and local economic transformation, and so local development stagnates. My question to you, Mr President: What is the place of audit and coalitions in moving municipalities beyond basic services to become platforms for jobs and local economic growth?” Dr Thabisile Mtshali @Unisaradio @Unisa @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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After nearly a decade of setbacks, interruptions and difficult choices, Itumeleng Mpete graduated with distinction from Unisa. Her achievement is a testament to perseverance, academic integrity and the determination to keep pursuing a dream despite the obstacles. Her journey supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and reflects the goals of Unisa's Student Support and Co-curricular Activities Catalytic Niche Area. ow.ly/cVIg50ZYTFL #Unisa150andBeyond
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Interactive Session with the Patron | Dr Thabang Manyike, @MbekiSchool Postdoctoral Fellow. · “In your 1998 speech titled two nations thesis you argued that South Africa is a nation divided along Racial, Economic and Spatial lines. On the one hand is the White Affluent minority and on the other hand it is the Black marginalized majority. But inequalities persist today in South Africa, and Black Africans are on the receiving end since the colonial encounter. Although we know this, recently Dr Pali Lehohla has confirmed that 10% of white people own the majority of the wealth and will continue to. More and more South African youth are becoming aware of this situation. The question is: why does this trend persist, and what were some of the ways your government dealt with it? · More and more young people lack confidence in party politics because they see parties as a fraternity of extraction from the state. Vladimir Lenin, Nkrumah, Nyerere, and others warned that the Party-State will eventually lead to the deterioration of societies, where various oppressions will arise. The question is: How can we envision a new form of politics that does not center the party and state? · The relationship between the Sahel Alliance and ECOWAS has been severed. The Sahel Alliance claims that France's colonial relationship persists; therefore, those coups were justified and supported by the masses. If we take this situation seriously, then how do we define popular sovereignty? Who has the right to legitimize or delegitimize these governments?” Dr Thabang Manyike @Unisa @unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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Tshegofatso Mmope, @Unisa SRC Secretary-General, delivering a message of support. @Unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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According to Prof Phaswana the African Renaissance demands rigorous scholarship, ethical leadership and capable institutions. The test for this generation is practical: what will we do differently to turn an enduring aspiration into a lived reality? @Unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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“Our task is to build a just, fair, equitable and inclusive society in which no one is left behind, and in which every African has a space in the sun.” — Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa. @Unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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The partnership between Unisa and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation advances African scholarship, leadership development, research and public dialogue. Together, these institutions are investing in a new generation of African thinkers and leaders committed to the ideals of the African Renaissance. @Unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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Prof @phaswaed, Acting Executive Dean at the @MbekiSchool, @Unisa, is officiating the programme for today’s Conversation. @Unisaradio @TMFoundation_ #MbekiSpeaks | #ConversationWithTM2026
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