A South African government minister praised the unique relationship between the University of Sussex and South Africa during a visit last week.
The University hosted South Africa's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Bonginkosi “Blade” Nzimande and a delegation of South African academic leaders and politicians to strengthen an important partnership in knowledge exchange, research and training.
Along with members of the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the delegation included representatives from the South African High Commission in London, the British High Commission in South Africa, South African Research and Innovation Agencies, Nelson Mandela University and the University of Cape Town.
During the visit, Professor Nzimande MP highlighted the special relationship between the Sussexes and South Africa. He said: “This university played a vital role in our people's struggle for independence. It served as a haven and academic sanctuary for South African students – many of whom were activists, exiles and freedom fighters from the turbulent 1960s to the end of apartheid.”
Professor Sasha Rosenil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sussex, welcomed visitors to the University last week to take part in a day of presentations and discussions with students and staff.
“It was a great honor to welcome Professor Nzimande and his delegation to Sussex. We are very proud of the contribution the Sussex community has made to South Africa's democratic transition.
“During the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Sussex provided an intellectual home and haven for exiled South African students and academics, many of whom went on to serve in South Africa's first democratically elected government.
“President Thabo Mbeke studied at Sussex along with half of President Mandela's first cabinet, and the first draft of the post-apartheid constitution was prepared in the library at Sussex. We continue to receive talented students from South Africa under our Mandela Scholarship Programme, who return to their home countries after their studies to build institutions and businesses that are improving the lives of their fellow South Africans.”
The visit aims to deepen collaboration between the University, the South African Government and national research institutes and universities, with a focus on digital transformation and human development, which is included in the South African Government's Science, Technology and Innovation Plan. The University is expected to play an important role in delivering South Africa's ambitious Presidential PhD programme, which seeks to produce a new generation of researchers. This is in line with South Africa's ambition to strengthen and enhance its innovation and research capacity.
Professor Blade Nzimande MP also delivered a lecture to students and staff on the topic “Co-creating resilient innovations for a sustainable future: Shaping the African continent”. It was organized by the Sussex Africa Center and provided an opportunity to reflect on how many South Africans had helped shape Sussex over the years.
Sussex was the first British university to offer the Mandela Scholarship. In a pioneering effort to combat the injustice of apartheid and raise the profile of Mandela's struggle for freedom, Sussex students established the scholarship in 1973. More than 70 Mandela Scholars have now graduated from Sussex, returning home to become leaders in their fields, scientists, environmentalists, development professionals and government ministers.
Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, who was part of the visiting University of Cape Town delegation, was one of the first Mandela scholars to be invited to study at Sussex by former Chancellor Sir Richard Attenborough after fearing for his life during the apartheid regime.
At Sussex, Nhlanhla studied molecular genetics, later completing a PhD in genetic engineering and now works as a research scientist, academic, corporate consultant and entrepreneur in South Africa.
Dr Msomi said: “The value of a Sussex education goes beyond academic learning. It extends to a way of life that inspires individuals to become better human beings with the very best skills to make a difference in the world. This may be Sussex's best tribute to Mandela's legacy.”
Following this visit, the University hopes to move from individual research projects to more formal institutional partnerships, focused on expanding the UK-South Africa Presidential PhD Programme, which aims to increase the number of PhD scholars in the country.