Nelson Mandela University South Campus

Nelson Mandela University's South Campus sits within Gqeberha's character as a coastal city with strong marine science heritage and a growing tech sector. The university's location here — not in the economic heartland of Gauteng — shapes what it offers and who chooses to study there. Eastern Cape students see the university as home ground, avoiding travel costs of studying elsewhere; others are drawn by specialised programmes in marine research, engineering, and business that leverage the region's port infrastructure and industrial base. The city itself becomes part of the curriculum for many programmes, with internship and placement pathways within Gqeberha's economy. For students weighing study options, the South Campus represents access to tertiary education within their province, embedding them in a regional knowledge economy rather than requiring relocation to find opportunity.