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Nelson Mandela University: Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences

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Nelson Mandela University: Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences

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Welcome to the official page for the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences is the largest faculty within Nelson Mandela University. It boasts five different schools which are listed below:

Mandela Uni Business School
The School of Accounting
The School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management
The School of Economics, Development and Tourism
The School of Management Sciences. All these schools have their own individual websites, which can be accessed through the Faculty webpage on the Mandela Uni website.
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Within these five Schools, 15 different departments can be found. The faculty offers students a comprehensive range programmes across 20 business related career fields, from diplomas to PhDs. All programmes can be in our online prospectus which can be accessed through our web page on the Mandela Uni website.

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Over 150 staff members call this faculty home and in 2010 our total student enrollment was 7 719. The faculty of Business and Economic Sciences subscribes to the core values of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, namely:

- Respect for Diversity
- Exellence
- Ubuntu
- Integrity
- Respect for the Natural Environment
- Taking Responsibility

If you are interested in gaining a great education, with the guidance of some of the best academics, then Nelson Mandela University and the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences is the institution for you!

22/10/2026

We welcome you to join us on Friday, the 30th October at 13:00 - 13:30 for the BES Faculty’s 8th BESt Talk!

The BESt Talks host lecturers and academics from each school and their respective departments each month throughout 2026.

8th BESt Talk: Business School

Professor Grant Freedman from the Business School will host a livestream titled: “Leadership at the Edge of Collapse: What The Walking Dead teaches us about followership and leadership in a BANI world. ”

We encourage all academics to attend the livestream that will take place on YouTube.

Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/

20/10/2026

Prof Grant Freedman of Nelson Mandela University Business School presented two research papers at the 2026 International Business Conference (IBC), exploring the role of technology in leadership development and employee engagement.

The first paper, Generative Developmental Intelligence: Theory and Propositions for Executive Leadership Development, examines how artificial intelligence (AI) could transform leadership development by challenging assumptions, encouraging reflection and supporting continuous learning. It highlights the potential for human–AI collaboration to strengthen leadership capability.

His second paper, The Effect of Technology Adoption on Employee Work Engagement in a Minerals Beneficiation Company, explores how technology adoption influences employee engagement. Based on research involving 182 employees, the findings emphasise the importance of organisational support, training, positive attitudes and aligning technology with existing work practices.

Together, the papers highlight the importance of combining technological innovation with human development, offering valuable insights into how organisations can prepare leaders and employees for an increasingly digital workplace.

Dr Heidi Janse van Rensburg, alongside MBA student Zuki Guga, presented their research paper, Customer Information Satisfaction in the Banking Industry in South Africa, at the 2026 International Business Conference (IBC).

The study explored the factors influencing customer satisfaction with information provided through online banking, using responses from 106 active online banking users. The findings revealed that online service quality and the alignment of information with customers’ personal financial needs were the two factors with a statistically significant positive impact on customer information satisfaction.

The research highlights the importance of reliable digital services and relevant, personalised information in building customer trust and loyalty. As banking continues to evolve digitally, the findings offer valuable insights into how financial institutions can improve the online customer experience.

13/10/2026

Congratulations to Prof Leward Jeke from the Department of Economics on achieving an NRF C3 rating! 🎉

This recognition reflects his academic contributions and commitment to research excellence. The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences celebrates this achievement and wishes him continued success in his research journey.

09/10/2026

💡 Strengthening research through collaboration!

Our Deputy Dean, Prof Syden Mishi, will represent the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences as a panellist in an upcoming discussion hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University.

The discussion will explore how transdisciplinary research can help address national and regional health priorities, bringing together expertise from different fields to tackle shared challenges.

📅 16 October 2026
⏰ 13:30–15:00
📍 Ocean Sciences Campus, Science Centre Multimedia Room

Both in-person and online attendance options are available. Scan the QR code on the poster to RSVP or click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexWibBx5A1uW6DKhOA-Z8uK3oH-cRV4geagZ__ipgD4ZfQJA/viewform?usp=send_form&pli=1&authuser=0

08/10/2026

Advancing business scholarship and global research! 🌐📚

Members of our Faculty of Business and Economics represented our institution at the 19th Annual International Business Conference (IBC), held from 4–7 October 2026 at the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa.

The IBC brings together prominent academics, researchers, and industry practitioners across diverse disciplines—including business management, economics, leadership, digital transformation, and sustainable practices.

Our faculty members actively contributed to this year’s platform by presenting peer-reviewed competitive research papers, leading panel discussions, and engaging in collaborative dialogues designed to tackle modern market challenges and shape future business strategy.

Swipe through to see our scholars in action as they represent our faculty with pride! 📸✨

07/10/2026

Celebrating our people and their achievements. 🌟

On 6 October 2026, the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences came together for the final Board of Faculty meeting of the year, taking a moment to celebrate the dedication, achievements and contributions of our staff throughout 2026.

The gathering began with lunch, tea and coffee, followed by a welcome from the Dean, who congratulated and thanked staff for their continued commitment to the Faculty.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognise excellence, with the Dean presenting the 2026 Faculty Awards to staff across the various categories.

Congratulations to all our award recipients, and thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the success of the Faculty. Here’s to celebrating the people who make BES what it is. ❤️

Celebrating our people and their achievements. 🌟

On 6 October 2026, the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences came together for the final Board of Faculty meeting of the year, taking a moment to celebrate the dedication, achievements and contributions of our staff throughout 2026.

The gathering began with lunch, tea and coffee, followed by a welcome from the Dean, who congratulated and thanked staff for their continued commitment to the Faculty.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognise excellence, with the Dean presenting the 2026 Faculty Awards to staff across the various categories.

Congratulations to all our award recipients, and thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the success of the Faculty. Here’s to celebrating the people who make BES what it is. ❤️

Celebrating our people and their achievements. 🌟

On 6 October 2026, the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences came together for the final Board of Faculty meeting of the year, taking a moment to celebrate the dedication, achievements and contributions of our staff throughout 2026.

The gathering began with lunch, tea and coffee, followed by a welcome from the Dean, who congratulated and thanked staff for their continued comm

06/10/2026

Tourism Masterclass – 29 September 2026

A Tourism Masterclass was held on 29 September 2026 at the Boardwalk Convention Centre, with selected Tourism students participating in the event. Part of the Masterclass programme involved presenting an engaging challenge entitled Tourism and Hospitality 2035: Reimagining the Visitor Experience for the Future.

Students were challenged to think creatively about the future of tourism and hospitality and to develop innovative ideas that could improve the visitor experience, support business success, prepare employees for future jobs, and strengthen collaboration between industry, universities and communities. The students presented their ideas to a panel of tourism and hospitality experts, providing an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a practical and industry-focused environment.

The Masterclass encouraged students to think beyond the present and consider how innovation, collaboration and future-ready skills can contribute to a stronger and more sustainable tourism and hospitality sector. The Tourism Masterclass and Challenge was facilitated by Prof Hugh Bartis from the Tourism Department.

The following student group won the Tourism Masterclass Challenge: Hlumisa Mbambabala, Genevieve Kerley and Lisakhanya Msutu. They were invited to attend the 85th Skål International World Congress Gala Dinner held at the Boardwalk Convention Centre.

Lisakhanya shared that “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have been surrounded by so many stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and countries. Throughout the evening, I engaged with so many guests, learnt a lot from their personal experiences being in business, gained insight and I feel as if now I have clearer idea of what I want to do when I complete my post graduate diploma next year”. Similarly, Genevieve Kerley commented that “it was an amazing opportunity, and I learnt so many valuable lessons. It was wonderful to meet some inspiring individuals and learn more about the tourism industry”.

02/10/2026

What does it truly mean to see the student behind the seat, or are we simply lecturing empty chambers of compliance?

During a recent Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences conversation titled The Empty Chair, Faculty HP Fellow, Mrs Tania Shrosbree, confronted this exact tension through a practical exercise: placing an Empty Chair at the front of the room to represent a struggling student.

Attendees split into two groups: dehumanising and humanising groups. A robust, insightful and beneficial conversation took place concerning both these approaches.

The conversation ended with this provoking thought : We cannot humanise our classrooms by accident.

It requires a deliberate choice to trade our comfort with compliance for the messy, beautiful reality of connection

01/10/2026

From the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality:

MASTERCLASS EVENT AT THE SKÅL INTERNATIONAL WORLD CONGRESS 2026

29 September 2026

Dr Jasmine Kinsman, Head of the Department of Business Management in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, delivers an engaging presentation titled “Enhancing Employability, Building Meaningful Networks and Cultivating Entrepreneurial Thinking.”

The presentation focuses on equipping students with practical knowledge and valuable insights to strengthen their employability and prepare them for the demands of the evolving tourism and business environment.

Dr Kinsman highlights the importance of building meaningful professional networks, developing an entrepreneurial mindset and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth. The session encourages students to look beyond academic qualifications by actively developing the skills, relationships and mindset needed to navigate the workplace and create opportunities within their chosen fields.

The masterclass forms part of the SKÅL International World Congress 2026 programme, creating a valuable platform for students to connect with academia and industry professionals while gaining practical perspectives on their future careers.

21/09/2026

Building stronger connections between industry and the classroom!

Professor Madéle Tait was invited to speak at the Eskom Western Cape Business Connect Programme, held on 15–16 September 2026, where she presented on “Opportunities for Collaboration: A Business and Economic Perspective.”

Her presentation highlighted how the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences and Eskom can work together to create opportunities for both organisations and students. This could include Short Learning Programmes for Eskom managers and supervisors, as well as leadership and management development programmes.

The collaboration could also open doors for our students through vacation work, graduate development opportunities, internships, workplace-based learning and industry projects, while Eskom professionals could contribute as guest lecturers and industry mentors.

By bringing together business, education and the energy sector, these partnerships can also support economic literacy and energy efficiency initiatives that help communities and businesses manage power usage and costs more sustainably. ⚡📚

Address

South Campus And 2nd Avenue Campus
Port Elizabeth
6001

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:30
Thursday	08:00 - 16:30
Friday	08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+27415042248

Website

https://business.mandela.ac.za/

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