Walter Sisulu University (WSU) was established on 1 July, 2005 through a merger of the former Border Technikon, Eastern Cape Technikon and the University of Transkei. WSU is a comprehensive university established in terms of the Higher Education Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended.

The transformation of higher education in South Africa began in 2002 and was completed in 2005. The previous 36 South African universities and technikons were reduced to 23 through mergers and incorporations. Since then, three new universities have been established by the Department of Higher Education & Training.

The term “technikon” is no longer used by any higher education institution in South Africa. Only the following three types of institutions exist:

• Traditional universities
• Comprehensive universities that offer both “technikon-type” and university programmes
• Universities of Technology, previously technikons.

As a developmental, comprehensive university, WSU offers students a wealth of academic choices, articulation and mobility across the qualifications spectrum ranging from certificates to diplomas, degrees and postgraduate studies. 

Strategically located within the Eastern Cape Province, WSU has a footprint of about 1,000 square kilometres across the urban and rural areas of the region. This provides the University with the platform to engage with the drivers of development so that the appropriate programme and research mix meets the needs of the region, province and the country.

WSU focuses on quality academic, technological and career-orientated programmes that provide relevant skills for development in rural and urban areas and places special emphasis on entrepreneurship.

WSU operates under a divisional governance and management system and has four campuses, each headed by a campus rector. The four campuses with multiple delivery sites are spread across Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City and Komani.

The delivery sites for these campuses are:

• Mthatha: Nelson Mandela Drive Site, Zamukulungisa Heights Site & Nkululekweni Site
• Buffalo City: Cambridge Street Site, Buffalo City Stadium Site, Heritage Building Site, College Street Site,  Chiselhurst Site & Potsdam Site
• Butterworth: Ibika Site
• Komani: Whittlesea Site & Grey Street Site.

WSU has a student population of around 27,000 and a staff component of approximately 2,000.