Higher Health SA

Higher Health proudly joins millions of South Africans in rallying behind Bafana Bafana as they continue their journey towards the FIFA World Cup 2026.

As you carry the hopes and dreams of South Africans onto the world stage, know that we are behind you every step of the way.

Go out there, make the nation proud and bring it home, Bafana🇿🇦🏆



DHET
Buti Manamela
Ramneek Ahluwalia
DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Mimmy Gondwe
Lovedale TVET College
Glen Lilly Training College
King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College Central
South West Gauteng TVET College
Northlink College
Goldfields TVET College ZA
Ikhala TVET College
Central Johannesburg TVET College
West Coast College Institution of Excellence
College of Cape Town - Inspiring Minds
University Of Venda
Sol Plaatje University
University of Pretoria - TuksAlumni
Universities South Africa
Tshwane University of Technology TUT
University Of Zululand
Nelson Mandela University

Highlights from the HIGHER HEALTH Gala Dinner and Stakeholder Awards 2026

A key moment of the evening was the presentation of an Award of Gratitude to Prof. Puleng LenkaBula, Chairperson of the Gender-Based Violence Technical Task Team (GBV TTT) and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa - The University of South Africa, in recognition of her outstanding leadership of the task team, which includes three Deputy Ministers serving in its structure from the following government departments: Department of Higher Education and Training; Department of South African Police Services; and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Established by HIGHER HEALTH, the GBV TTT brings together experts and representatives from government, higher education, civil society, and international organisations to guide and strengthen the sector’s response to gender-based violence. The Task Team includes representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), South African Police Service, Commission for Gender Equality, UN Women, and other key stakeholders.

The award recognised Professor LenkaBula’s invaluable contribution to advancing safer and more inclusive learning environments across the post-school education and training sector.



Ramneek Ahluwalia
Nkosinathi Sishi
Mimmy Gondwe
DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Stellenbosch University
Unisa - The University of South Africa
University Of Venda
University of Pretoria - TuksAlumni
Motheo TVET College
Port Elizabeth TVET College
Lovedale TVET College
College of Cape Town - Inspiring Minds

[STUDENT BENEFICIARY PANEL DISCUSSION AT GALA DINNER - HIGHLIGHTING HIGHER HEALTH’s LIFE-CHANGING IMPACT]:

Higher Health Director of Programmes, Ms. Thobekile Finger, moderated a powerful student beneficiary panel discussion during the 2026 Higher Health Gala Dinner and Stakeholder Awards, held at The Cottage at Irene Farm.

The panel featured a diverse group of student beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed through Higher Health’s services and programmes. Participants included a gender-based violence (GBV) survivor, a mental health beneficiary, an LGBTQI+ student, a student living with a disability, graduates of the Civic and Soft Skills programme, and a Peer Educator.

As an organisation, nothing demonstrates the impact of Higher Health’s work more authentically than hearing directly from students across universities, TVET colleges, and CET colleges about what support means in their everyday lived experiences.

During the discussion, students shared deeply personal testimonies about the challenges they faced and the role Higher Health played in helping them navigate difficult circumstances. One student spoke about how access to mental health counselling enabled her to remain focused on her studies during one of the most challenging periods of her academic journey and helped her through a serious personal crisis. Another student reflected on how a Higher Health GBV awareness campaign gave her the courage to seek support and counselling from Higher Health whilst experiencing abuse from her partner. An LGBTQI+ student beneficiary highlighted how Higher Health’s counselling services helped them cope with mental health challenges resulting from exclusion and bullying.

Across all the testimonies, one message resonated strongly: access to health, wellness, and psychosocial support can be life-changing and can significantly influence a student’s academic success and overall wellbeing.

The discussion left delegates inspired and deeply moved by the tangible impact of Higher Health’s work. It served as a powerful reminder that supporting students goes beyond academic achievement - it is about ensuring that young people are healthy, resilient, supported, and empowered to complete their educational journeys and thrive in life.



DHET
Ramneek Ahluwalia
Buti Manamela
Mimmy Gondwe
DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Nkosinathi Sishi
Motheo TVET College
Western Cape Community Education and Training College
Port Elizabeth TVET College
Lovedale TVET College
Stellenbosch University
Unisa - The University of South Africa
University Of Venda
University of Johannesburg
University of Pretoria - TuksAlumni

Highlights from Higher Health Gala Dinner and Stakeholder Awards 2026

Hon. Buti Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training, received an Award of Gratitude for his continued leadership, support and commitment to strengthening student health, psychosocial wellbeing and development within the Post-School Education and Training sector.

One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition of public and private partners, donors, stakeholders and leaders whose contributions continue to advance the Higher Health mandate and support student success across South Africa.



DHET
Ramneek Ahluwalia
Buti Manamela
DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Mimmy Gondwe
Motheo TVET College
Port Elizabeth TVET College
College of Cape Town - Inspiring Minds
Lovedale TVET College
Stellenbosch University
Unisa - The University of South Africa
University Of Venda
University of Johannesburg
University of Pretoria - TuksAlumni

Highlights from the Keynote Address by Honourable Minister, Buti Manamela at the Higher Health Gala Dinner & Stakeholder Awards 2026

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Manamela underscored the critical importance of the comprehensive wraparound support that Higher Health provides to students across South Africa’s Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

He commended Higher Health for its remarkable growth and innovation over the past decade, noting that the organisation is now entering a bold new chapter through its HIGHER HEALTH 3.0 Strategy.

Originally established as a health and wellness organisation, Higher Health has evolved into the Department of Higher Education and Training’s designated wraparound support partner, providing integrated student support services across universities, TVET colleges, and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges.

Minister Manamela emphasized the need for a holistic wraparound support model for students, stating:

“Just as we have National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to address students’ financial needs, we need Higher Health to step up and become the comprehensive wraparound support partner for the Department. I call upon the Higher Health Board of Directors and the CEO to continue building the institution so that it can fully deliver this mandate.”

The Minister’s call reaffirms the growing importance of student wellbeing, mental health, social support, health services, civic development, and academic success as interconnected pillars of student achievement.



Nkosinathi Sishi
Mimmy Gondwe
Florence Masebe
Ramneek Ahluwalia
Lionel Green-Thompson
University Of Venda
Sol Plaatje University
Tshwane University of Technology TUT
University Of Zululand
Unisa - The University of South Africa
King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College Central
South West Gauteng TVET College
Northlink College
Thekwini TVET College
Goldfields TVET College ZA
West Coast College Institution of Excellence
Umfolozi TVET College
Central Johannesburg TVET College