THENSA exists to enable its partner institutions to respond to the challenges and targets set in the NDP, the UN SDGs and the Africa 2063 Agenda, through Technological Education, Research and Innovation.
MORE ABOUT
THENSA

MORE ABOUT
THENSA
THENSA exists to enable its partner institutions to respond to the challenges and targets set in the NDP, the UN SDGs and the Africa 2063 Agenda, through Technological Education, Research and Innovation.
SATN was established in 2006 by five South African Universities of Technology (UoTs), namely, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT), Central University of Technology (CUT), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), which resulted in the registration of the SATN trust in August 2008. The SATN became the collective voice of UoTs to provide a common platform for discussion on matters pertaining to higher education and to share leverage existing competencies of the member intuitions.
The period 2008-2019 was a period of significant changes in higher education generally with heightened policy activity and changes in curriculum, research and innovation agendas in South Africa. The SATN mission and strategic objectives were reviewed accordingly and its membership, its mission and the concomitant focus on new projects and initiatives were successfully implemented during this period.
The change of name in 2019 to THENSA (Technological Higher Education Network South Africa) was an outcome of the change in its membership to include all technology focussed institutions, the teaching, learning, research and innovation agendas that it set itself. The new member organisations now include six (6) South African Universities of Technology, four (4) South African comprehensive Universities, and one (1) African University. Interest in forming partnerships with Continental Technology focussed intuitions has resulted in the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) and it’s (200+ members) joining THENSA. THENSA has also committed to being a member of CAPA in 2020.
THENSA exists to enable its partner institutions to respond to the challenges and targets set in the NDP, the UN SDGs and the Africa 2063 Agenda, through Technological Education, Research and Innovation.
THENSA’s guiding principles include, connecting minds, establishing networks for collaboration between smart institutions focussed on Technology Research and Innovation with its key focus being the promotion and advancement of Science, Engineering, Arts and Technology Programmes for the world of work. THENSA is the catalyst that capitalises on the collective voice, strengths and opportunities of its members for the benefit of its students, staff, researchers, innovators and its business and industry partners.
How THENSA works
Representatives of each of the member institution(s) and THENSA is governed by a Board of Directors which consisted of representatives of each of the member institution and the CEO (ex-officio member). The operations of THENSA are managed by the CEO and Office Manager with support from administrative and academic staff.
In addition, projects are run by Task Teams drawn from member institutions.
Our vision and mission
- Leadership, advocacy and best practice amongst our members and stakeholders
- Quality education to support globally competitive, future-ready graduates and entrepreneurs
- Impactful research and innovation towards sustainable societies and the expansion of the national and global innovation ecosystem
Member Institutions
Full Board Members
Prof LR van Staden
Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
Chairperson: South African Technology Network (SATN)
Prof HJ de Jager
Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)
Prof TZ Mthembu
Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Durban University of Technology (DUT)
Prof M Ramogale
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Prof NS Nhlapo
Vice-Chancellor: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Prof I Rensburg
Administrator: Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Prof JR Midgley
Vice-Chancellor & Principal: Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
Prof TV Mayekiso
Vice-Chancellor: University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
Dr. BN Nthambeleni
Vice-Chancellor and Principal: University of Venda (UNIVEN)
Prof XA Mtose
Vice-Chancellor and Principal: University of Zululand (UNIZUL)
Associate Member
Dr A Niikondo
Acting Vice-Chancellor: Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world.
Secretariat
Dr Anshu Padayachee
Chief Executive Officer
Christelle Venter
Office Manager