Mangosuthu studied at the University of Fort Hare from 1948 to 1950, where he joined the African National Congress Youth League and came into contact with Robert Mugabe and Robert Sobukwe.
Mangosuthu belajar di Universitas Fort Hare dari 1948 sampai 1950, dimana ia bergabung dengan Liga Pemuda Kongres Nasional Afrika dan menjalin kontak dengan Robert Mugabe dan Robert Sobukwe.