Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is going through rebranding to reposition itself as a global institution. The Eastern Cape-based university was named after former president Nelson Mandela, although he never attended it. NMMU’s spokesperson Zandile Mbabela said the institution wanted to position itself as an international university and dropping the word "Metropolitan" would allow it to rebrand itself beyond the geographical metropolis of Port Elizabeth. The new name was gazetted by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande in 2016, following an earlier request to have the institution’s name changed to Nelson Mandela University before the merger of the University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth Technikon and the city’s Vista University campus to form NMMU in 2005. The renaming process was once again invigorated by the #FeesMustFall movements calls for transformation and decolonisation of curriculum and name changes to important buildings and institution...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.