Universities South Africa (USAf) has appointed the principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, as chairperson of its Funding Strategy Group. He will also serve as a member of USAf’s executive committee (ExCo).

The appointment is with immediate effect, and Prof Tyobeka will hold this position until 31 December 2025.

The Funding Strategy Group gives strategic direction to the board and ExCo of USAf on strategic university funding matters and engages with policy matters. The Funding Strategy Group also advises the USAf board on projects and the implementation of strategies relating to higher-education funding – a crucial role in view of the current challenging financial circumstances that South African universities face.

“I appreciate the trust and confidence that the USAf board has placed in me. I am truly honoured to have been selected for this significant role. I am excited to contribute to the USAf mission and goals. I look forward to working closely with the entire USAf community to find long-term sustainable funding solutions for the sector,” says Prof Tyobeka.

Dr Phethiwe Matutu, chief executive officer of USAf, congratulated Prof Tyobeka on behalf of the board. She thanked Prof Tyobeka for his commitment to serving USAf and said she was looking forward to working with him.

More about USAf

USAf is an umbrella body for the 26 public universities in South Africa. It promotes and facilitates an optimal environment conducive for universities to function effectively and maximally to contribute to the social, cultural and economic advancement of South Africa and its people.

The mission of this body is to strengthen its capacity, sustainability and structural form to address several of South Africa’s higher-education challenges such as student access, success and the development of new cohorts of organically engaged graduates. USAf also aims to strengthen the role of the sector in deepening democracy and social cohesion, and to build the capacity of the local higher-education system as an internally competitive system, among other things to effectively engage human and social developments through its knowledge project.

USAf is currently deploying a three-pronged strategic focus on students, sustainability and engagement.

To learn more about USAf and its work, visit Universities South Africa | USAf.

Prof Bismark Tyobeka