As a statutory body established on 05 December 2013 as a juristic entity through publication of Government Gazette No.37118, the Institute strives to contribute meaningfully to ensuring the excellence, integrity and dynamism of the humanities and social sciences throughout Africa, through its core functions of enhancing and coordinating scholarship, research, and ethical practice in the HSS fields. In January 2016, the NIHSS expanded its mandate to include managing and coordinating all BRICS Think Tank related activities on behalf of South Africa. The Institute has driven some of its mandate through the academic portfolio, BRICS and Research Directorate.
