Vice- Chancellor & Principal : Dr. Thandi Mgwebi

Walter Sisulu traces its story back to the 1970s, when discussions among a core of leaders and influential minds from the then Transkei got together to imagine the founding of a university that would be an addition to the historic University of Fort Hare which had then stood alone in our part of the country in offering higher education to black people. Founded during the era of the then Transkei Bantustan, the WSU-predecessor University of Transkei (UNITRA) was established in 1976, birthed by a regime who envisioned the university as an important knowledge centre that would contribute to the vision of development they had for the Bantustan. Paradoxically for its founders, UNITRA would, while indeed making its mark and impact in the socio-economic development of the Transkei region, also grow in the direction of autonomous critical thought, and even grew a reputation as home for a nest of radical sociologists, legal scholars and other intellectuals of the time. WSU and its predecessor UNITRA still stand out to this day as having gifted South Africa an outstanding class of jurists and legal practitioners. So too has the university contributed in other disciplinary spheres and professions.

Over and above this, UNITRA would establish a medical school that set it apart for a curriculum and training approach that was immersed in, and informed by the lived condition of its surrounding environment. Over time, this unique medical school would draw in international partners also steeped in medical training and service resonant with rural, under-resourced environments. Cuban compatriots particularly stood out as fellow travellers, and after 1994, the Eastern Cape would strengthen fraternal relations with Cuba and send students for their medical studies in Cuba, while hosting doctors, professors and trainers from that country. This relationship continues to this day, at a Walter Sisulu University that succeeded UNITRA from 2005. Walter Sisulu, named after an exemplary leader of the liberation movement, is an amalgam that brought together UNITRA and two former Technikons – Eastern Cape Technikon and Border Technikon, to establish an institution that is the most widely distributed in the Eastern Cape, in terms of the regional locations where we have our campuses. Against a rebranded university conscious of place, heritage and the demands of the present and future, Walter Sisulu is reasserting its civilisational mission and developmental purpose as – A societal university Advancing knowledge in a changing world, Producing capable and future-fit graduates with purpose, Co-creating solutions for a just and sustainable South Africa, in Africa and the world Functioning as an integrated system for public value creation We are a university committed to developing ethical, adaptable, and technologically skilled graduates prepared to contribute to society, through a transformative, future-focused education and student development regime.

We are a university committed to pursuing quality, rigorous and socially relevant research that makes a significant contribution to the knowledge commons, while addressing local, regional and African development challenges. We are also a university committed to connecting academic knowledge and research with real societal challenges. We are committed to building and deepening reciprocal partnerships with communities, government, industry, and global partners, towards the co-creation of societally impactful knowledge. Lastly, a Walter Sisulu consolidating for a future of impact and distinction is focused on growing an institutional identity, renown and public value along three critical Signature Themes intended to impact a future of flourish for the Eastern Cape, as well as our graduates who will grow their careers in the Eastern Cape, across South Africa, the African region and globally. The three signature themes are – (i) Food Futures – intended to expand the capacity of the province for a rurally-anchored agricultural production and sustainable food systems, build inclusive entrepreneurial agri-value chains, as well as guarantee food sovereignty, nutritional security and sustainable livelihoods. (ii) One Health – intended to deliver integrated human, animal and ecological health futures, strengthening public health, disease prevention and resilience against climate and ecological perturbations. (iii) Justice, governance and leadership futures – intended to strengthen democratic governance and institutional accountability, ethical and transformative leadership, social and economic justice, and deepen participatory and inclusive development. Welcome to a Walter Sisulu University that honours the foundations established by our predecessors, a University proud of the contributions we have made to society to date, and a Walter Sisulu University that is alive to its present commitments, as well as its duty to building a shared future of sustainable flourish.

About Us

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu is a comprehensive higher education institution established in 2005, with campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City (East London) and Komani in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Guided by its vision of being a technology-infused African university, Walter Sisulu is committed to academic excellence, innovation, research and community development.

With approximately 30,000 students and 1,800 staff members, the University offers more than 170 academic programmes across seven faculties:

• Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Management and Public Administration Sciences
• Education
• Law, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Economics and Financial Sciences
• Natural Sciences

Walter Sisulu plays a significant role in advancing rural and regional development by providing accessible higher education opportunities, particularly to poor and working-class communities. The University continues to invest in modern infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and socially responsive research while strengthening partnerships with government, industry and communities to support sustainable growth and lifelong learning.