November 22, 2023

A peek into the future: Panel discussion on Higher Education in Southern Africa

The recent SAPHE Conference provided an engaging platform for discussion and reflection on the future of higher education in Southern Africa. Among the conference's highlights was a thought-provoking panel discussion on this critical topic, featuring a diverse group of experts from the education and technology sectors.


Elmarie Cronje of EOH, Glenda Miles of Microsoft, Buntu Majaja of the SA Innovation Summit, Dr Anselm Adodo of Paxherbals, and Prof. Ronnie Lessem of TRANS4M brought their unique perspectives, each offering a distinct picture of the future landscape for higher education in the region. Prof. Ben Anderson of the DaVinci Institute skilfully facilitated the discussion, expertly engaging the audience in the diverse scenarios proposed by the panellists.


Entrepreneurial approach

Majaja presented a compelling argument for higher education institutions to become an integral part of their surrounding ecosystem. This, he believed, would make them more aware of the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial approach in their engagement with industry. He was convinced that the benefits of commercialising more, if not all, research, was becoming critical in a creative economy where everyone was defined as a knowledge worker. This underscored the need to co-create new understandings of reality, shaping both the present and the future.


Embracing technology

In her presentation, Miles asserted that embracing technology is not a choice but an imperative for higher education institutions if they aspire to prepare graduates who can effectively contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. She strongly advocated for integrating a wide variety of adaptive technologies into the student experience, highlighting the transformative potential of such an approach. As a closing remark, Miles challenged the higher education system to take a leadership role in the AI discourse and practice, acknowledging the industry's leading role but not always from a holistic perspective.


Demand for niche institutions

Cronje's presentation emphasised the importance of representatives of higher education institutions actively listening to their prospective customers and understanding their specific educational requirements. She explained that the growing demand for niche institutions was driven by the industry's need for graduates who were 'job ready' and possessed the necessary critical thinking, reasoning and questioning skills, and competence to thrive in the marketplace. Cronje also stressed the importance of higher education institutions becoming more inclusive and accessible, noting that private higher education institutions in South Africa seemed responsive to the dilemma parents faced and accommodated students from diverse backgrounds.


Community-centric focus

Lessem and Adodo provoked the audience with the idea of 'Communiversity,' where students actively represent society through their communities, broadening the scope of knowledge and incorporating critical indigenous knowledge systems into the co-creation of new knowledge.



Concluding the panel discussion, Prof Anderson expressed that integrating the diverse yet critical inputs into a futuristic higher education scenario would indeed be challenging. He asked, "Are we ready to embrace these suggestions, and more importantly, should SAPHE play a role in promoting such a future for higher education?" This left the audience and SAPHE members with much to reflect on.

Full Panel

SAPHE Conference provided a space for advancing excellence

December 3, 2025
A peek into the future or a glimpse into a novel research project; a celebration of academic excellence or connecting with colleagues – the 3rd SAPHE Conference, held on 5 and 6 November at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg, was a vibrant Rubik’s cube of colour, choice, and possibilities. Under the theme Leading Innovation in Higher Education: Impacting Locally and Globally , the Conference served as a dynamic platform to explore, reflect on, and challenge thinking about innovation in the sector. Setting the tone with probing questions and scenarios were keynote speakers Mahlubi Chief Mabizela (USAf Director: Operations and Sector Support) and Edward Kieswetter (SARS Commissioner), delivering thought-provoking addresses on their respective days. Following them, two engaging panel discussions – one on the future of private higher education, facilitated by Africa Melane, and the other on the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence, led by Professor Ben Anderson – sparked lively debates and inspired delegates. The Conference also provided a space to showcase and promote research, with presentations across a range of themes. Delegates participated in two workshops: AI as Research Ally and Quality as Intellectual Curiosity: Rethinking Quality Assurance in Higher Education. Together with the SAPHE Excellence Awards, which celebrate academic excellence in private higher education across Teaching, Learning and Assessment, Research and Innovation, and Community Engagement, the event highlighted innovation, scholarship, and achievement in the sector. SAPHE is grateful to its gold sponsors – Cengage, Opencollab, and Juta – and silver sponsors – Oxford University Press, Van Schaik, and EBSCO – for their generous support, which helped make the Conference possible.  The 3rd SAPHE Conference was not just an event but an experience – a space where ideas, innovation, and collaboration came together to shape the future of private higher education in South Africa.

Strengthening collaboration with the DHET

November 28, 2025
On 21 November 2025, a SAPHE delegation met with the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela, to discuss the role of private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in shaping South Africa’s Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system. Representing SAPHE were Edward Kieswetter, Prof Divya Singh, Prof Ahmed Shaikh, Dr Linda Meyer, and Nancy-Anne Anderson. Minister Manamela acknowledged the important contribution of PHEIs, which account for nearly 30% of higher education enrolments in South Africa. He emphasised the value of their participation in shaping policy, determining the “size and shape” of the system, and strengthening national capacity. The meeting focused on several priority areas, including legislation, articulation pathways, building trust in the system, and industry engagement. Both SAPHE and the Minister highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to ensure a more coherent, inclusive, and responsive higher education sector.  The shared commitment demonstrated during the meeting provides a strong foundation for an ongoing partnership between SAPHE and the DHET, reinforcing the role of private higher education in shaping South Africa’s PSET landscape.

Excitement builds ahead of the 3rd SAPHE Conference

November 4, 2025
With a week to go before the 3rd SAPHE Conference on 5 and 6 November at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg, anticipation is running high. Under the theme “Leading Innovation in Higher Education: Impacting Locally and Globally,” the Conference will serve as a dynamic platform to explore, reflect on, and challenge thinking about innovation in the sector. Well-known speakers Mahlubi Chief Mabizela (USAf Director: Operations and Sector Support) and Edward Kieswetter (SARS Commissioner) will set the tone, delivering the keynote addresses on the respective days. Taking the baton from them, two panel discussions – one on the future of private higher education, facilitated by Africa Melane, and the other on Artificial Intelligence, led by Professor Ben Anderson – are sure to engage and inspire delegates. As a space to showcase and promote research, the Conference will also feature presentations across a range of themes, complemented by two hands-on workshops: AI as Research Ally and Quality as Intellectual Curiosity: Rethinking Quality Assurance in Higher Education. Together with the SAPHE Excellence Awards, the event promises to challenge conventional thinking, inspire innovation, and celebrate academic excellence in private higher education. SAPHE is grateful to its gold sponsors – Cengage, Opencollab, and Juta – and silver sponsors – Oxford University Press, Van Schaik, and EBSCO – for their generous support.  With its rich mix of thought leadership, research, and collaboration, the 2025 SAPHE Conference promises to challenge convention, inspire new ideas, and celebrate the spirit of innovation in private higher education.