The idea of the National Institutes for Higher Education to address the inadequate provision of Higher Education in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape was first introduced in the National Plan for Higher Education which was released in February 2001.  This innovative model, with respect to the provision of Higher Education, signalled the commitment of the Ministry of Education not only to the White Paper principle of widening access to previously politically and geographically disadvantaged communities, but also to deepening and entrenching collaboration between South African Higher Education Institutions.

The National Institutions for Higher Education in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape was subsequently established through an amendment to the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997) published as the Higher Education Amendment Act, No. 38 of 2003.

The idea was that the National Institute for Higher Education: Mpumalanga will facilitate the coherent provision of Higher Education programmes through serving as an "administrative and governance hub" for Higher Education Institutions currently operating in the Province.  As such, the National Institutes were not established as autonomous Institutions that could grant Higher Education qualifications in their own name, but to provide Higher Education programmes through collaborative agreements with existing Higher Education Institutions.

The National Institute for Higher Education - Mpumalanga was established as a juristic person and is managed, governed and administered by a Board. In line with the above provisions, the Board for the National Institute in Mpumalanga was appointed in July 2006, with a renewable office term of 4 years.
Other Legislative Imperatives
The National Institute for Higher Education: Mpumalanga is an unlisted public entity under Schedule 3A of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, as amended. It adheres to principles of good governance, financial and performance management in accordance with the aforementioned legislation and the Higher Education Act, 1997, as amended, and is held accountable for these to the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa through the Ministry of Higher Education and Training.

The National Institute for Higher Education in Mpumalanga was formally launched by the then Minister of Education, Ms Naledi Pandor on 21 October 2006.

What we do

According to Section 38B of the Higher Education Amendment Act, No. 38 of 2003, the functions of the National Institute for Higher Education in Mpumalanga are to:

• Coordinate the regional provision of higher education:
• Ensure the coherent provision of higher education through programme collaboration between public higher education institutions operating in the province in question;
• Advise the minister on matters relating to the coordination of the provision of higher education in the region in question: and
• Perform any other duty which may be prescribed

Funding of the Institute

The funds of the National Institute for Higher Education consist of:

• money appropriated by Parliament;
• donations or contributions:
• interest: and
• any other income received.

Partner Institutions

At the inception of the organisation the Institute identified the following as preferred higher education institutions mainly due to their presence in the province.

• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
• The University of Pretoria (UP).
• University of South Africa (UNISA).
• Vaal University of Technology (VUT).

Whilst addressing the challenges of higher education in the province, the Institute has extended invitations of partnership to other universities, such as the University of Johannesburg, the University of KwaZulu Natal and the University of Western Cape.  It is therefore important to note that the Institute would be fostering partnerships with different higher education institutions to positively respond to the higher educational needs of the province.

Mission

Strategic Goals

The following strategic goals have been identified as the core business of the NIHE during the MTEF period 2011/12-2013/14:

1. Co-ordinate the coherent provision of Higher Education in the Province in line with the Higher Education (HE) framework.
2. Enhance and foster relevant partnerships between all stakeholders and role-players in the Higher Education environment in Mpumalanga (NIHE, DHET, the Province, Partner Institutions, Business, Industry, Communities).
3. Participate in the establishment of a university in Mpumalanga.
4. Ensure the promotion of sound corporate governance and effective leadership.
5. Establish an effective, efficient and relevant knowledge management system of higher education information in the Province.
6. Actively pursue an improved and effective communication strategy.

The overarching principle that guided our strategic intent is the core mandate of coordination of higher education in the province; however the Board realised the need for the provision of a pivotal advisory function that the Institute can perform for the Minister through his task team on the establishment of a university in Mpumalanga.  Whilst performing the advisory role it is important for our stakeholders to take note that we would be continuing to perform our coordinating role of higher education provision in the province.

Organisational architecture

• Office of the CEO
• Academic Coordination Unit
• Corporate governance and strategic support Unit
• Finance and Administration

Structure

Chief Executive Officer (Accounting Officer)

Management Structure

Operational Structure

	Karien Viljoen Executive Secretary Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax:086 603 7199 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Henk Jooste Senior Researcher Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Sandra Govere Manager:  Finance Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Prince Mahlambi HR Administrator Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Louis Mncina Governance Officer Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Tsholo Modimokwane Office Administrator Academic Unit Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Lilly Sithole Office Administrator Finance Unit Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Jabu Nkosi Researcher Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Sipho  Mkhatshwa Finance Administrator Tel:  013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Siboniso Zulu Programme Coordinator Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Rita Koch Receptionist Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Velly Ndimande Finance Officer Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Terence Manzini Procurement Officer Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it		Zodwa Ngwenya General Assistant Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295
	Lindiwe Mazibuko General Assistant Tel: 013 752 5992 Fax: 013 752 5295