IYUNIVESITHI WALTER SISULU’S NEW BRAND IDENTITY REFLECTS TRANSFORMATION

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Dr. Thandi Mgwebi, believes the University’s rebrand comes fittingly as it represents more than just an aesthetics exercise, but a reflection on results of years of work towards, academic, governance and infrastructural transformation.

On 27 March 2026, the Eastern Cape university unveiled its new brand identity during a landmark event held on Friday, 27 March at the Mthatha Campus’ Nelson Mandela Drive Site.

“This rebrand reflects both our journey and our ambition. It honours our legacy of expanding access to higher education while signalling the next phase of our development, as a university that is transforming, modernising and positioning itself for greater impact,” said Mgwebi.

In one of its academic infrastructure investments, the university recently unveiled a R95 million Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (FEBEIT) building at the Potsdam Site of the Buffalo City Campus.

The project signalled a renewed commitment to creating modern, fit-for-purpose learning environments that will enhance the academic journey of engineering students and strengthen the university’s capacity for innovation and skills development.

“Ultimately, the rebrand signals our commitment to building a university that is responsive, forward-looking and focused on delivering real societal value,” she said.

Mgwebi added that stakeholders can expect improvements in the overall student experience, strengthened postgraduate development, greater emphasis on impactful research and innovation, and deeper partnerships with communities and industry.

Testimony to an effective turnaround strategy that has yielded positive results, iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu now ranks in the top 5 universities in South Africa for IEG utilization.

The university has also strengthened the quality of its academic staff. It went from having only 4 National Research Foundation-rated researchers in 2020 to an impressive 42 in 2025.  In 2025 alone, the university celebrated 69 new Masters graduates and 30 new PhDs among its staff.

Providing historical context, Mgwebi noted that the university was formed through the merger of institutions with proud academic traditions, including the University of Transkei, Border Technikon, and Eastern Cape Technikon.

“Over the past 21 years, we have grown into a multi-campus university that serves communities across the Eastern Cape and beyond,” she said.

To finalize the merger,in the 2023, the university implemented a rationalisation and consolidation strategy which saw 12 faculties being cut to seven to strengthen programme quality, expanded online delivery, and elevated research productivity.

The institution’s transformation was further underscored by the appointment of Dr Thandi Mgwebi as Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Her leadership ushers in a new era focused on institutional renewal, sustainability and the decisive implementation of the university’s Vision 2030 strategy, transitioning from strategic intent to tangible impact.

In honouring the legacy of anti-apartheid struggle stalwart, Tata Walter Sisulu, after whom the university is currently named, Mgwebi emphasised that the new brand seeks to embed Tata Sisulu’s values of integrity, humility, courage and service into the daily life of the institution.

“The new brand seeks to bring Walter Sisulu’s values to life within the university community so that students and staff see themselves as part of a living legacy that promotes ethical leadership, social justice and collective progress,” she said.

As the institution unveils its new brand identity, it does so carrying with it the enduring imprint of milestones that continue to shape its future.

Academic excellence continues to be reinforced across faculties, with all the university’s programmes receiving accreditation.

The recent 5-year (full) accreditation for WSU’s Bachelor of Psychology comes because of a collective effort to pursue excellence at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu, according to Head of Department of Psychology, Dr Bongiwe Xhoseni.

“Our accreditation ensures that our graduates have a clear path to professional registration, enabling them to establish their own practices or work in recognized institutions. As you may recall, all professionals within the psychology field are regulated by the HPCSA and upon completing their four-year degree, graduates are eligible to write the board exam to become registered counsellors,” said Xhoseni.

As part of the build-up to the announcement, the university will also host a media engagement session on Friday, 20 March, during which the Vice-Chancellor will brief the media on the forthcoming brand identity reveal and offer a glimpse of the institution’s vision for the future.

The unveiling follows the university council's approval of the rebrand in 2025 and marks a significant milestone in the institution’s journey of transformation and growth.

ENDS.