Sijekula Mbanga is an Associate Professor and a Research Chair for Sustainable Human Settlements at the Nelson Mandela University, in South Africa. His Chair pays particular focus on sustainability-oriented research for cities and settlements aimed at forging new paths to solution of complex societal problems such as impact of climate change, poverty and inequality, employing different methods that promote co-creation of knowledge between the university, community organisations, industry and international partners. Key issues on the Chair’s Research Agenda include local government capacity, housing policy and human settlement management models, the nexus between solid waste management practices and local economic development, the decongestion of densely-populated settlements to curb the spread of communicable diseases and other maladies, housing delivery systems and uncovering barriers to uptake of innovative building systems, alternative water, energy and sanitation solutions in low-income settlements. Sijekula holds a PhD in Public Administration, with his thesis focusing on integrated development planning and management obtained from the same university. This is the same institution where he completed his Masters’ degree in Administration (Cum Laude). Sijekula is a member of SAAPAM, SAMEA, GISSA, ISOCARP and MSAPI. Sijekula is a Chairperson of the Institute for Human Settlements Practitioners in South Africa, a member of the Southern Africa City Studies Network and serves in the Editorial Board of the Urban Forum.