Brief History of MANCOSA

Founded in 1995, MANCOSA started as an empowerment initiative in the post-apartheid era, aimed at providing accessible management education to those once marginalised. Registered under the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997), the institution has evolved over its 28-year journey, expanding its reached and mission to stand today as a beacon of quality higher education for all.

Our History

In 2002, MANCOSA earned its accreditation from the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC), an esteemed quality committee under the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Today, MANCOSA stands as a prominent provider of management programmes via supported distance learning across Southern Africa, proudly serving over 15,000 active students in its diverse programmes.

For nearly three decades, MANCOSA has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional management and education programmes to a global student community. Our unwavering dedication to excellence is epitomised by our flagship offering, the Master of Business Administration (MBA), a tradition since 1995.

Our collaboration with BCUC brought an international perspective to our students in the Southern African region. However, marking a significant milestone in the year 2000, MANCOSA shifted its focus closer to home, ceasing the BCUC qualifications and embarking on awarding its own, fully accredited, in South Africa.

Our History

MANCOSA’s diverse suite of management education programmes caters to an eclectic mix of students from both the public and private sectors. With roots in commerce, industry, and academia, our programmes are backed by a robust network of distinguished academics and mentors specialising in management and leadership.

A landmark moment arrived in October 2014 when we inaugurated our Graduate School of Business [GSB] in Durban. More than just a campus, the MANCOSA [GSB] is a beacon for postgraduate education in business management. With a focus on fostering international collaboration, offering immersive study tours, and championing executive education and research, the [GSB] is our answer to the growing need for specialised postgraduate business programmes. Designed with the vision of bridging the learning experience between undergraduate and postgraduate studies, the MANCOSA [GSB] is aptly suited for our students, many of whom hold pivotal roles in the industry.

The following additional factors provide an overview of MANCOSA’s operations:

  • Leveraging a blended teaching strategy, MANCOSA offers a combination of independent learning through custom-designed materials and limited face-to-face workshops. These approaches are enriched by our state-of-the-art educational technology ecosystem, ensuring dynamic and engaging learning experiences.
  • At the heart of our academic support system are our well-equipped libraries, available in most centres. Students have seamless access to contemporary research and crucial online journal articles via platforms like EBSCO Host, Emerald, and SABINET.
  • Beyond mere academic support, MANCOSA stands out for its comprehensive student care. Designated resource persons ensure students receive both academic advice and pastoral care throughout their academic journey.
  • Our central hub, the MANCOSA head office in Durban, is a testament to our commitment to quality. It’s not just a place for administration but a nexus of full-time academic, administrative, and student support activities. Further complementing our operations is our cutting-edge infrastructure, from modern training facilities to advanced ICT tools.


As champions of distance education, MANCOSA’s expertise shines through in its meticulously crafted study materials. Keeping the needs of mature, often full-time employed students in mind, our teaching strategies are tailored to ensure efficient knowledge transfer. Staying updated, MANCOSA is ever-evolving, aligning with the latest trends in management and leadership training.

MANCOSA’s dedication isn’t just restricted to the classroom. The institution’s management and staff are passionate contributors, playing active roles in both public and private initiatives—their collective aim? Elevating the standard of South African and continental higher education.