Rhodes University in partnership with local high schools held two graduation ceremony screenings for learners in grades 11 and 12. The first ceremony was screened at Nombulelo Secondary School on Thursday 11 April and the second one at Mary Waters High School on Friday 12 April.
With these screenings the University hopes that the visuals, the atmosphere, the speeches and new records of graduation will inspire young learners to aspire to be on that stage, dressed in that regalia and to receive, if not the same, but better accolades. Planting the idea in young people’s minds that unemployment and poverty can be addressed by giving the youth access to quality education and knowledge that will make them global players
“The Rhodes University Graduation has always been a seething cauldron of emotion with jubilant young graduates, proud families, and a spectacular display of academic regalia. We want this excitement to spill over into the Makhanda community. Each year Rhodes graduates break records that serve as motivation for our current students; therefore, why not inspire them early”, a statement from the University stated.
Graduates who matriculated from local schools were invited to the screenings to share their experiences with the learners in attendance. Their presence’s aim was to motivate learners, so they see that people who share the same background as them can too attend university and succeed.
“We have learnt a lot here. The things that were said today have inspired us”, said Lwandisa Ntoyakhe, a Grade 12 learner from Khutliso Daniels Secondary School, after watching one of the screenings.