By Ephreeda Banda
Rhodes University’s Community Engagement (RUCE) Office hosted a welcome cocktail event for first-year mentees of the Nine-Tenths programme, marking a major milestone in the University’s efforts to transform education in Makhanda.
The event brought together 2025 first-year students, student leaders from RUCE, parents from the Vulindlela programme, principals from local no-fee schools, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, and Vuyo Mwase from the Energy Mobility Education Trust, among others. It celebrated students’ achievements while reflecting on a decade of progress in improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
A decade of educational transformation
Upon his inauguration in 2015, Prof. Mabizela launched the Vice-Chancellor’s Initiative to Revitalise Public Schooling in Makhanda. This initiative was a direct response to the documentary Some Children Are More Equal Than Others, which exposed stark disparities between fee-paying and fee-exempt schools in the area.
A key intervention under this initiative was the Nine-Tenths mentorship programme, designed to enhance academic performance in no-fee schools. Focused on underprivileged and working-class students, the programme provides mentorship, academic support, and guidance to help learners succeed in their final year of high school.
Complementing this, Rhodes University also introduced the Vulindlela programme, which engages parents—especially University staff—to improve their children's access to higher education. The programme offers literacy support, tutoring, and mentorship from early childhood through Grade 12, alongside skills development for parents in areas like financial and digital literacy.
Remarkable progress in Bachelor Pass rates
The impact of these programmes has been significant. In 2014, six no-fee schools in Makhanda produced just 51 Bachelor passes. By 2024, this number had soared to 245, a nearly fivefold increase. The Bachelor pass rate in these schools also climbed from 11% in 2014 to 35% in 2024.
Gadra Education, a non-profit organisation, has played a key role in this success, partnering with Rhodes University to provide resources, expertise, and mentorship to no-fee school students. This collaboration has helped bridge the gap between disadvantaged schools and higher education opportunities.
More local students at Rhodes University
The number of Makhanda students registering at Rhodes University has also risen dramatically. In 2012, only 11 students from the area were enrolled at the University. By 2025, this number had exceeded 200.
The increase is especially notable among students from no-fee schools. In 2015—the year the Nine-Tenths and Vulindlela programmes were introduced—only 19 students from the no-fee sector were admitted to Rhodes University. By 2025, that figure had grown to 90 students, with a sharp rise in those pursuing degrees in Science, Commerce, and Pharmacy.
Building stronger partnerships for educational access
The success of these programmes has been bolstered by partnerships with organisations like the Energy Mobility Education Trust. CEO Vuyo Mwase highlighted the shared mission of increasing access to higher education, particularly in STEM fields.
"We’ve been working with Rhodes University and the Nine-Tenths programme since 2021. Their innovative approach, strong community involvement, and emphasis on giving back align with our mission. The results—higher retention rates and improved academic performance—speak for themselves. We’re proud to be part of this initiative," said Mwase.
The achievements of the Nine-Tenths and Vulindlela programmes underscore the power of collaboration in tackling educational inequality. As these initiatives continue to grow, they serve as a blueprint for similar efforts across South Africa.
Looking ahead, Rhodes University remains committed to expanding these programmes with the support of partners like Gadra Education and the Energy Mobility Education Trust, ensuring an even greater impact on the future of education in Makhanda.