The seat of the University is located at Ga-Rankuwa.[4] The name change from MEDUNSA to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) was one of the causes of the riots in August 2014.[5] From 2005 to 2015, the University was a campus of the University of Limpopo, but it was separated following a review of the merger.[6] The launch on 14 April 2015 was attended by President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, with the President delivering the keynote address.