UJ and Government Forge UNESCO Partnership to Shape Africa’s Digital Future
Landmark Chair in Cultural Inclusivity and Equity under the leadership of Prof Prinola Govenden, Cements South Africa’s Leadership in Digital Transformation
The University of Johannesburg has secured a UNESCO Chair and formalised a strategic partnership with the government, positioning itself as a continental hub for advancing digital inclusion, equitable access to knowledge, and cultural representation. This milestone strengthens South Africa’s digital diplomacy and ensures African voices lead in shaping global digital narratives.
The UNESCO Chair in Cultural Inclusivity and Equity in Digital Media in Africa, awarded for the 2026 to 2030 cycle, was secured following a competitive global process that reviewed 135 applications at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The awarding places UJ among more than 1,000 UNESCO Chairs across 120 countries.
UJ on Friday, 17 April 2026, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, formalising collaboration to advance digital transformation, policy development and inclusive innovation.
The agreement, signed with UJ’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, positions the UNESCO Chair as a strategic national asset that supports South Africa’s digital diplomacy and leadership on the continent.
Minister Malatsi said the partnership reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive digital progress.
“It [the partnership] also supports a broader ambition, which is that South Africa’s digital future will not be built by government alone. It will require partnerships across sectors. Government brings the public mandate and policy direction. Universities bring with them the research capacity and critical inquiry. Industry brings investment, aid and innovation, while civil society, on the other hand, helps to foster accountability and social legitimacy.”
The Chair, held by Professor Prinola Govenden in UJ’s Faculty of Humanities, will focus on addressing digital inclusion, cultural representation and equitable access to knowledge in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital environment.
It will also examine the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and contribute to policy and governance frameworks, while advancing strategies to counter digital exclusion and the marginalisation of local knowledge systems.
Prof Mpedi said this milestone reinforces UJ’s role as a leading African institution shaping the future of digital society.
“Our UNESCO chair will uniquely contribute innovative, empirical research, practical and strategic solutions, as well as policy recommendations for fostering a decolonised and inclusive internet that generally serves all African societies and its users. The Chair will also uniquely contribute to understanding the digital landscape for both knowledge representation and technical access perspectives, particularly concerning cultural representation, inclusivity and equity in Africa.”
The initiative aligns with UNESCO’s priorities in culture, communication and information, and contributes to its global focus on advancing Africa and preserving cultural diversity. It is supported by academic partners in China, Canada and Nigeria.
The development has received Cabinet-level endorsement, led by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, citing its significance for South Africa’s global positioning and for Africa’s participation in international digital cooperation.
The MoU signing marked the first major activation of the Chair, with participation by industry stakeholders, including MTN Group, Ericsson, and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signalling cross-sector support for inclusive digital growth.
Prof Prinola Govenden said the Chair carries a continental mandate to showcase the real Africa.
“This Chair positions UJ at the forefront of driving research, partnerships and policy that ensure African voices are not only included, but lead in defining global digital narratives. [We will use this chair to highlight] that audiences differ and interpret media, messages and texts in relation to their specific cultural context. African audiences and users are not passive, naive copycats. African users and audience are active, engaged, and we use media in our everyday lives in creative ways.”
The University is expected to officially launch the UNESCO Chair and host a Ministerial Roundtable on 15 May 2026, focusing on localisation, digital inclusion and equitable knowledge systems across Africa.
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