The Conversation

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, as a dynamic African University, is committed to excellence and innovation, and fostering a pioneering and inventive spirit among our students and scholars. It is a University that acts as a social laboratory for experimentation, innovation and creativity to find answers to epic challenges facing society and the economy today.

NMMU recently established and launched a number of research hubs such as the Centre for Broadband Communication to conduct pioneering research around optical fibre data transport for the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope; an innovation hub to support small business in Port Elizabeth and beyond; a Centre for African Palaeoscience; and a Research Chair in Earth Systems Science. More exciting is the development currently underway of a range of new maritime and marine education and training, research, innovation and engagement programmes to support South Africa and the continent’s blue economy initiatives.

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Displaying 1 - 20 of 61 articles

Lolabelle, the artist and musician Laurie Anderson’s dog being taught how to play the piano.

All dogs go to heaven

Marius Crous, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

In many cultures and religions dogs are more than protection and security. But do they have an after-life?
Cyril Ramaphosa celebrates his election as deputy president of South Africa’s embattled governing ANC. Reuters/Mike Hutchings

Ramaphosa has what it takes to fix South Africa’s ailing ANC. But …

Ongama Mtimka, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Cyril Ramaphosa is in pole position to become president of South Africa's ruling ANC, 20 years after he lost the position by Thabo Mbeki. But, it won't be easy. Neither will rebuilding the party.
South African President Jacob Zuma. He has survived a bid to have him removed and might strike back. Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

Zuma’s refusal to quit puts South Africa’s economy on an even weaker footing

Ongama Mtimka, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

All eyes are on the next move from President Jacob Zuma after he survived a bid from senior ANC colleagues to remove him. The fallout is expected to be focused on the economic cluster of government.
Students in South Africa are tired of Western, Eurocentric university curricula. Reuters/Mike Hutchings

Decolonisation: academics must change what they teach, and how

Savo Heleta, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

More than two decades after apartheid ended, South African universities still tend to offer a view of the country and continent that is rooted in colonial and apartheid thinking.
They might be certain, but they don’t have to be brutal. Shutterstock

Tax systems are inhumane. It’s time this changed

Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Tax systems in post-colonial Africa need to be reformed. For instance, there ought to be rebates for advancing moral good or educating future taxpayers.
University students are fed up that their calls for free education are being ignored. Nic Bothma/EPA

Free education is possible if South Africa moves beyond smoke and mirrors

Salim Vally, University of Johannesburg; Enver Motala, University of Fort Hare; Leigh-Ann Naidoo, University of the Witwatersrand; Mondli Hlatshwayo, University of Johannesburg; Rasigan Maharajh, Tshwane University of Technology, and Zolisa Marawu, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

South Africa's higher education minister has dealt with fee increments for 2017 but sidestepped students' fundamental issue: an ongoing call to make higher education free for all.
Hair speaks of the past, and of cultural heritage. Steve Evans/Flickr

The heritage of hair: stories of resilience and creativity

Rosabelle Boswell, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Hair has long been modified for aesthetic and other ends. But skewed power structures have meant that women, particularly women of colour, have borne the brunt of stereotyping and prejudice.
Supporters of Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters hold a mock coffin of the governing ANC during an election rally in 2014. Reuters/Skyler Reid

South Africa’s politicians must guard against killer narratives

Lyn Snodgrass, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Unscrupulous politicians are adept at using regressive story lines that feed insecurities. That could be dangerous ahead of South Africa's hotly-contested municipal elections.
Billions of dollars are lost yearly to illegal fishing, with West Africa being one of the worst-affected regions. Commander, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th/Flickr

Africa needs collaboration and support to tackle crime at sea

Hennie van As, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Crime on the ocean is not only about illegal fishing – it ranges from drug smuggling to human trafficking and modern-day slavery as well.

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