[2] Nongxa was born on 22 October 1953[3] in Mhlanga near Lady Frere, Eastern Cape in what was then the Transkei.
Both of his parents were qualified teachers, and his father was a school principal, although his mother remained at home to raise the family.
Nongxa did well at school, and matriculated from Healdtown College with distinction as the top matric student in South Africa in 1972.
At UWC, he held the post of Professor of Mathematics, and he was later appointed dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
Following the resignation of Professor Norma Reid Birley in November 2002, he became Acting Vice-Chancellor and principal of the university.