The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) is an entity of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) under the National Government of South Africa.
The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences was formally established on 5 December 2013 as the result of extensive work towards drafting the 2011 Charter for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences is mandated to develop and set up the institutional and logistical framework for the envisioned higher education institution for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).
The role of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences is, broadly, to enhance and support the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) in South Africa and beyond, and to advise government and civil society on HSS-related matters. It does so through its various programmes, including the Catalytic Projects, the Doctoral Schools and the African Pathways Programme, and through supporting the Department of Higher Education and Training in the implementation of the proposed corrective interventions.
In addition, the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences envisions a tertiary education system serving as an equal partner with centres of excellence in the Global North and the Global South in the world’s knowledge production and dissemination.
Further functions of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences include:
- Providing services to the higher education sphere within the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)
- Advancing learning within its specific scope or application by ensuring collaboration or collaboration of the work of higher education institutions
- Advising the Minister of Higher Education and Training on matters relating to its specific scope or application, or to higher education generally
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chief Executive Officer
- Ms Auriel Niemack (Acting Director)
Chief Financial Officer
- Mr Tshiamo Molapisi (Acting)
Senior Management
- Ms Hlanzekile Mbokazi (Executive Manager: Academic Scholarships)
- Mr Tebogo Molaoa (Manager: Corporate Services and Acting Senior Manager: Communications and Marketing)
- Ms Auriel Niemack (Acting Director: BRICS and Research)
Communications Officers
- Mr Petros Mashaba (Manager: Human Resources)
- Ms Boitumelo Mosoane (Communications and Marketing Officer)
- Dr Kambale Muhongya (Manager: Information Technology)
Secretary
- Ms Nicola Critchfield (PA: Acting Director)
- Ms Keketso Phakoe (Senior Admin Officer)
Contact Details
The contact details of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 2nd Floor, 24 St Andrews Street, Parktown, Johannesburg |
| Postal Address: | Postnet Suite 413, Private Bag X30500, Houghton, 2041 |
| Telephone: | 011 480 2300 |
| Email: | info@nihss.ac.za |
| Website: | www.nihss.ac.za |
