Centre for Capacity Development in Africa

The Centre for Capacity Development in Africa (CCDA) supports the development of the African continent and its people by developing new and emerging scholars in Africa. It does this by connecting scholars globally and creating opportunities for research and Higher Education teaching and learning development.

The CCDA has an institutional role within Stellenbosch University in strengthening postgraduate training, doctoral capacity, research development, credentialling expertise, and higher education research across Africa.

Contact us

+27 21 808 4281
[email protected]

The Centre works through three key units:

photo of the ADA winter school programme
Image by: Ignus

African Doctoral Academy

The African Doctoral Academy (ADA), serves to coordinate and strengthen excellence in doctoral education at Stellenbosch University (SU) and across the African continent.
People sitting in a conference venue with two presenters at the font of the room
Image by: Ignus

Unit for International Higher Education in Africa Research

Advancing research in international higher education within Africa.
Group photo of a delegation from Lesotho signing an MOU with Ecol
Image by: Ignus

SU-Unit for International Credentialing

This Unit quality assures international school examinations and evaluates SU’s internal policies for admitting students with foreign qualifications into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Meet the team

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Prof. Sarah Howie
Director: Centre for Capacity Development in Africa
+27 21 808 9032
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Ms. Alrecia Abrahams
Administration Officer: Centre for Capacity Development in Africa
+27 21 808 4281
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Mr. Edgar Rinquest
Finance Administrator: Centre for Capacity Development in Africa & Short Courses
+27 21 808 4312
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Dr. Brent Abrahams
Programme Manager: Unit for International Higher Education in Africa Research
+27 21 808 3542
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Ms. Mia Andersen
Programme Manager: Unit for International Credentialling
+27 21 808 9058
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Dr. Natalie Kowalik
Programme Manager: African Doctoral Academy
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Mr. Jacques Cilliers
Administrator: Unit for International Credentialling
+27 21 808 4097
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Mr. Kamogelo Matenchi
Coordinator: Unit for International Credentialling
+27 21 808 3399
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Mr. Luther Chipembere
Coordinator: African Doctoral Academy
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Mr. Carlton Matingo
Administrator: Unit for International Credentialling
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Mr. Chris Janse Van Rensburg
Intern: Unit for International Credentialling
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Ms. Michelle Chidavaenzi
Intern: Unit for International Higher Education in Africa Research

Latest News

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Coventry University awards honorary doctorate to Prof Deresh Ramjugernath

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Prof Cristina Trois, Director of Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, presents research on unlocking value from vine waste at the Southern African Sustainable Energy Conference 2026. With her are co-authors Dr Yared Abera (left) and Martina Mariani. Picture: Desmond Thompson

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