On 20 March 2026, the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) hosted a delegation from the Malawian government as part of its preparation to establish a public institution, Mombera University. UMP has been identified as a leading reference institution, recognised for its successful planning, phased development, and operationalisation of a modern higher education institution on the African Continent.
In welcoming the Government of Malawi delegation, UMP Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, highlighted the need to enhance collaboration amongst Universities in the African continent. “We regard ourselves as a pan-African institution, and it always gives us a greater pleasure to engage and share best practices with our peers on our Continent,” said Meyiwa.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Malawi, Special Assistant: Economic Affairs in the Office of the Second Vice-President, Mr Foster Harawa said, “As our country prepares to implement several major infrastructure initiatives, including the proposed Mombera University, the University of Mpumalanga’s successful campus development offers valuable lessons and insights”.
The benchmarking visit included formal engagements, campus tour, and technical briefing that provided an overview of UMP’s development model and key infrastructure milestones. The benchmarking visit underscores UMP’s growing role as a point of reference for modern higher education infrastructure development.