The brunch

The College of Education (CEDU) hosted a celebratory brunch, to mark Unisa’s 150th anniversary, at the Cape Town Regional Office, in Parow, on 27 May 2023. All the departments in the College were in attendance, including representatives from our department , Ms Mahlako Chuene and Dr Lettah Sikhosana. CEDU’s acting Executive Dean, Professor Mpine Makoe, saw it fit to celebrate the 150th-year anniversary in the different regions including the institution’s birthplace, Cape Town. The brunch was the culmination of different events that took place throughout the week, which among several included officiating at the graduation ceremonies, education district visits and student-teacher evaluations for teaching practice.

Unisa’s brief history

Founded in 1873, as the University of the Cape of Good Hope (UCGH), the institution was modelled on the University of London, which did not offer instruction through direct teaching. In 1916, the institution was renamed the University of South Africa, commonly known today as Unisa.

Shortly after being renamed, in 1918, the institution relocated to Tshwane, in the suburb of Muckleneuk, where the main campus currently resides. Unisa is the only university that carries the name of our beautiful country and it carries the name with pride. It is one of the world’s largest distance-learning institutions.

In her speech, acting Executive Dean, Prof Makoe expressed that it should have been renamed the University of Hope, because the institution opens the doors for all – the young and old, those who are working and even those incarcerated. The institution is about providing hope to all. CEDU, itself, has produced the youngest female PhD graduate, in the class of 2022, Dr Lettah Sikhosana, who completed her PhD at the age of 27 while the institution also prides itself on having the oldest graduate, who obtained their LLB degree at the age of 78.

L to R: Prof MM Dichaba (Department of Adult Community and Continuing Education), Ms MV Chuene (Department of Science and Technology Education), Prof M Makoe (CEDU Acting Executive Dean)

150th-year celebration

The week started with graduations, which, as such, is a celebration of the hard work of the students. In his Chancellor’s address at one of the graduation ceremonies, Dr Ntwanano Jethro Godi mentioned that, “in order to succeed, one needs to be disciplined”. He pointed out that the candidates in the red gown got there through blood, sweat, tears, and determination to push through it all. Prof Sindile Ngubane, Chair Institute of Distance Learning (IODL), CEDU encouraged the graduates and guests to further their studies and to work towards obtaining their master’s and doctoral degrees, because Unisa, in line with the 2030 National Development Plan, wants to increase the number of masters and PhD holders in the country. She noted that it is not only about the qualifications but about creating critical thinkers and people who can go into communities to do research, report accordingly and create applicable interventions

At the brunch, various partners were invited and representatives from the Metro Central Education District, The Learning Life Organisation (TLLO), Metro East Education District, Western Cape ETDP SETA, and South African Council for Educators (SACE), just to name a few, were in attendance.

L to R: Dr L Sikhosana (Department of Science and Technology Education), Mr R Blaaw (Eden Primary School), Ms MV Chuene (Department of Science and Technology Education)

The CEDU staff members also visited schools in the region, to market the College and offer supervision to the students who are currently doing their teaching practice. Essentially, the intention of these visits was primarily to foster relationships with the schools in the region.

The 150^th anniversary celebrations were a way of physically bringing Unisa to the people, as many of the prominent events are likely to take place on the main campus. This celebration is one of many, as Unisa reclaims Africa’s intellectual futures.