The success of the restructuring process of the Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, as well as that of the restructured system, depends to a large extent on the availability of administrative and management abilities and skills. These skills are in short supply. Concerted efforts should be made to develop the competencies needed to reconfigure the fragmented system and ensure well-functioning higher education institutions for the future. Research indicates, however, that mergers have not resulted in the expected benefits This study describes the typical effects of the merger...