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.