For over a decade, Nelson Mandela University in South Africa has been at the forefront of embedding a humanising pedagogy within its educational framework, aligning with its vision and strategic focal areas. This paper presents the university's ongoing learning and teaching project, "Khathala Ngobuntu-Care with Humanity," which aims to catalyse a transformative shift in pedagogical practices by integrating the principles of Humanising Pedagogy and a Pedagogy of Care. South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) funds the learning and teaching project as part of the University Capacity Development Programme.

The “Khathala Ngobuntu” project underscores the necessity for a pedagogical paradigm that transfers knowledge and transforms educational spaces into inclusive, equitable, and culturally relevant environments. By applying Humanising Pedagogy, the project strongly emphasises viewing students as whole beings with intrinsic worth, fostering an environment where students are actively engaged and valued.

Furthermore, the project integrates a Pedagogy of Care, which operationalises empathy, compassion, and an acknowledgement of the interconnectedness of community within the educational setting.

The initiative also includes a critical focus on the Africanisation of the curriculum, which seeks to resonate more profoundly with the students' cultural contexts, incorporating African values and epistemologies into the pedagogical practices. This cultural imperative is essential for bridging the gap between educational content and the lived experiences of a diverse student body.

The project employs a praxis approach to critical consciousness and involves iterative reflection, action, and evaluation cycles. Design thinking methodologies complement this to ensure a systematic, empathetic, innovative approach to pedagogical challenges.

The paper will discuss the initial outcomes of the project, reflecting on the successes and challenges of implementing such transformative pedagogies at Nelson Mandela University. The discussion will also explore how these pedagogies contribute to a broader discourse on transformative education, aiming to establish a sustainable framework for ongoing educational transformation that prioritises humanity, care, and cultural relevance in global higher educational practices.

Keywords: humanising pedagogy, pedagogy of care, Africanisation.