For the many stakeholders in the Nine Tenths Mentoring Programme, February was a month of love, culminating with a Soiree in celebration of partnerships! The Welcoming Soiree took place on 22 February on the RUCE Lawn and was attended by Rhodes University VC Prof Sizwe Mabizela who welcomed new mentees and familiar faces to another inspiring year of personal growth.
The annual soiree is always a special occasion as we get to celebrate the previous year's mentees who join the Rhodes University family as First Years. The event was attended by the funders of the programme and the coordinators of the programme from Rhodes University Community Engagement and Gadra Education, as well as School Principals and Teachers, and the student mentors and mentees.
Since Nine Tenths began in 2016, it has made strides in towards revitalising public education by shaping the futures of Grade 12 learners. Initially introduced in two high schools, the programme has expanded to five local high schools - Nombulelo, Ntsika, Mary Waters, Khutliso Daniels and P.J. Olivier.
The stakeholders in the programme attribute its success to its collaborative and transformative model which pairs Rhodes University student volunteers with matric learners for mentorship. This relationship is structured around nine guided sessions focusing on pivotal themes to navigate the challenges of the final high school year.
"Each stakeholder involved in this programme brings a unique and valuable contribution," said Babsy Makombe, a Gadra Education Coordinator, in her welcoming speech.
Babsy further reflected that over eight years, the initiative has supported over 1500 matriculants, leading to a substantial increase in Bachelor passes, enhanced school performance, and greater access to tertiary education. Remarkably, the percentage of Bachelor passes at no fee schools surged from 26 percent in 2014 to 63 percent in 2023, a testament to the programme's impact.
In 2023 alone, 50 mentees were accepted for full-time studies at Rhodes University, with others securing places in the Rhodes Bridging Programme and at different universities. This achievement underscores the programme's role in unlocking educational opportunities for students.
The programme's success is not just measured in academic achievements but also in the personal development of participants. Many mentees transition to becoming mentors themselves, creating a cycle of empowerment.
"It's heartwarming to witness...mentees from the programme transitioning to Rhodes University and then choosing to become Nine Tenths mentors themselves," says Babsy.
The sustained relationships between mentors and mentees, evolving into strong university-level networks, further highlight the programme's contribution to building social capital within the community. Additionally, mentors growing into leadership roles within the programme exemplify its broader impact on personal and professional development.
As the Nine Tenths Mentoring Programme continues to celebrate its successes, its influence extends beyond individual stories, contributing significantly to Makhanda's ambition of becoming a leading city in education within the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.