Higher Education South Africa (HESA) was formed on 9 May 2005, as the successor to the two statutory representative organisations for universities and technikons (now universities of technology), the South African Universities Vice-Chancellors Association (SAUVCA) and the Committee of Technikon Principals (CTP). The launch of HESA was in part driven by the restructuring of the higher education sector, which resulted in the establishment of new institutional types, but also by the need for a strong, unified body of leadership. HESA represents all 23 public universities and universities of technology in South Africa and is a section 21 company.