Latest news with #StellenboschUniversity
IOL News
27 minutes ago
- Business
- IOL News
Lesetja Kganyago officially installed as Chancellor of Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University hosted the official 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 Reserve Bank Governor 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗷𝗮 𝗞𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝘀 its 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 in the Endler Hall of the university. Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media As the rain fell steadily over Stellenbosch on Friday morning, a momentous occasion unfolded within the hallowed halls of Stellenbosch University (SU). The institution proudly celebrated the formal installation of its 16th Chancellor, Lesetja Kganyago, the esteemed Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. This significant ceremony, held in the iconic Endler Hall, was not merely a formality; it was a vibrant testament to the university's rich heritage and its commitment to fostering a future of academic excellence. With stirring musical performances and a grand academic procession, the event encapsulated the spirit of transformation and leadership that Kganyago embodies, as he takes on the mantle of guiding SU through its next chapter of innovation and social responsibility. The ceremony, held in the Endler Hall, unfolded with stately precision, resounding music performances by SU's top musicians and an academic procession in full ceremonial regalia – a visual reminder of the University's rich past and vibrant future. In an impassioned inaugural address in front of dignitaries, senior management and community leaders, Kganyago said he considered it a profound honour to have been chosen to represent SU. 'I accept this role with a deep sense of responsibility, aware of the complex legacy that I inherit and the expectations that lie ahead,' he said. Drawing on the words of his predecessor, Justice Edwin Cameron, Kganyago spoke of the dignity and self-worth that universities instil in their communities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He called on the University to continue fostering institutions of 'curiosity, innovation and diversity of thought,' describing South African universities as catalysts for social change and ethical leadership. 'Universities reflect who we are and what we aspire to be,' he said, urging the institution to defend academic freedom and transformation with vigour. He did not shy away from the University's complex history, referencing both its role in apartheid-era South Africa and the ongoing struggle for transformation. Quoting renowned South African poet Antjie Krog, Kganyago cautioned that wounds left unconfronted would 'continue to inflict pain in the future'. He called for the University community to reject racism and resistance to change, insisting that diversity and inclusion are essential to intellectual exploration and justice. Kganyago praised the recent transformation efforts led by former Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, pointing to Prof Thuli Madonsela's view that 'transformation is not for the faint-hearted'. Drawing on powerful examples of student-led activism, Kganyago referenced the Save7 initiative, which helped establish the Life Pod transplant support unit at Tygerberg Hospital. He also singled out students like Francisca Darkoh and Caitlin Lee, whose work in food security and prisoner rehabilitation has given life to the University's mission of social responsibility. 'Their work is a powerful example of how student leadership can drive real-world change,' he said. The Chancellor's speech also cast back to 1987, when South African universities protested apartheid-era controls on academic freedom. Kganyago recalled how he joined thousands in resisting state decrees that sought to limit university autonomy, a formative experience that established his view of education as a cornerstone of democracy. 'We must safeguard this freedom and honour it with curiosity, engagement and critical enquiry,' he stressed. As he concluded his address, the audience rose in standing ovation and spontaneous praise-singing, infusing the Endler with energy. Earlier in the afternoon, the formal proceedings were opened by SU's Registrar, Dr Ronel Retief, who welcomed a distinguished audience including members of the Reserve Bank, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser and senior representatives from neighbouring universities. Retief outlined the symbolic and statutory responsibilities of the Chancellor, noting that Kganyago was elected by the University's Electoral College following a public nomination process. 'We thank you for accepting this call to serve,' she said with a big smile. Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath praised Kganyago as a leader of 'exceptional courage, wisdom and steadiness', aligning his public service record with the University's institutional values of compassion, accountability and equity. 'At Stellenbosch University, we believe that education must serve a greater purpose: to uplift, to enlighten, and to empower,' he said. 'Chancellor, we are deeply honoured that you have accepted this role. Your wisdom, stature and service-oriented leadership will be a source of inspiration to our students, staff, alumni and partners,' Ramjugernath concluded. Chair of SU's Council, Dr Nicky Newton-King, who led the official investiture, described Kganyago as 'a formidable and thoughtful champion of rigorous analysis and independence'. She also introduced the University's newly designed Chancellor's gown that incorporates the 'Hope' pattern and ceremonial emblem as a symbol of transformation forged in dialogue with students, staff and alumni. Messages of congratulation followed from SU alumna Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr Mimmy Gondwe, read by Prof Nico Koopman, Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel. Gondwe praised Kganyago's steadfast leadership under pressure, calling his appointment 'a glowing reference to the University's commitment to excellence and value-based leadership'. She acknowledged the difficult context facing universities – from funding constraints to the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence – and noted the value of Kganyago's experience at a time of national uncertainty. A warm and reflective felicitation from Prof Rudolf Gouws of the Chancellor's Circle confirmed Kganyago's international stature and quiet resolve. Recalling their first meeting more than three decades ago in the ANC's Department of Economic Planning Gouws told Kganyago: 'Ons het 'n lang pad gekom, Lesetja.' ('We've come a long way, Lesetja.') He lauded the new Chancellor's policy clarity and principled resistance to populist pressures. 'We are proud to be associated with you,' he said. 'You have remained steadfast in your defence of the Bank's independence, and the country – and this University – is better for it.' The event closed on a soaring note with the Invitational Choir, conducted by Prof Johan de Villiers, delivering a triumphant rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah followed by some more joyous notes from the SU Brass Quintet. SU's Chancellor serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once for a consecutive term.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Cut ties with Israeli varsities, academics tell Stellenosch University
Stellenbosch University. Image: Stellenbosch University PRESSURE is mounting on Stellenbosch University (SU) to suspend all collaboration with Israeli universities where there was a risk of direct or indirect involvement in human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In a statement signed by 214 academics, the group noted that this had been a step taken by 'other respected universities, including recently the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)'. 'We agree with Annelien Bredenoord, President of the EUR Executive Board when she says that academic collaborations are normally based on academic freedom, but 'that freedom has limits when fundamental human rights are at stake'. We urge Stellenbosch University's leadership to officially and unequivocally add the university's voice to this world-wide call. We believe that future generations will judge our university and its leadership harshly if it does not take a stand on the outrageous acts being perpetrated against the Palestinian people in Gaza – acts which, to borrow from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), should outrage the conscience of humanity,' the academics stated. The SU is the only university in the Western Cape that has not severed ties with Israeli universities. The university came short of taking up a strong position following a council meeting last year. During a special meeting on April 30, Senate voted against a motion themed 'Proposed resolution for Stellenbosch University Senate on the Genocide and Destruction of Scholarship and Education in Gaza'. At the time the Senate voted 80 in favour, 101 against the motion, while 18 abstained from the vote. The proposed resolution had called for an 'immediate ceasefire and the cessation on attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid and the return of all captives including the safe return of hostages captured by Hamas, and including the safe return of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ It also called for the university to express concern and opposition to any attempts to 'curtail academic freedom by labelling criticism of Israel or Zionist policies as antisemitism' and to express solidarity with 'academic colleagues victimised for their willingness to speak out against the educaracide in Gaza', among others. The 214 academics maintain that the gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the crime of genocide, being committed by Israel in its devastating assault on the Gaza Strip raise profound questions about the responsibility of universities to condemn such acts and avoid collaborating with implicated Israeli institutions. 'Unlike several other South African universities, Stellenbosch University as an institution has been largely silent on this issue. A Senate motion calling for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid and the return of all captives was defeated on 30 April 2024. As concerned members of the University community we again call upon our University to take a public stand on the violations of international law being committed against the Palestinian people.' The group cited a 2018 Restitution Statement adopted by the university acknowledging and expressing 'deep regret' for its contribution to the injustices of the past. 'This is indeed a moment to embrace change at our institution, including taking an institutional position on Gaza,' the statement read. The collective in their statement also cited the South African government case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging violations by Israel of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Stellenbosch University said it was not the only university, 'locally or globally, that has refrained from an institutional stance on this issue to safeguard academic freedom, and it has repeatedly expressed its sympathy and compassion for those affected by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza'. 'Stellenbosch University (SU) recognises the severity and far-reaching impact of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. It is important to emphasise that our institution stands firmly for the principles of peace, respect for human rights, freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the principles of International Humanitarian Law. We are committed to supporting and fostering environments where all viewpoints can be heard and will continue to engage in this regard.' The university expressed its commitment to providing a space that encourages constructive debate and academic freedom. 'To fully perform its role in society, the university must maintain an environment of freedom of inquiry and expression. There are many instances where such robust conversations, specifically also on the crisis in Gaza, have been encouraged and welcomed on various SU platforms and its campuses. The most recent statement supported by Senate and other staff members in their individual capacity also testifies to the existence of such spaces of freedom of speech and expression at the University. The vote of the special Senate meeting also occurred in this broader framework and as an outcome of an inclusive and democratic statutory process. All academic discourse at SU takes place within the framework of the values of the University, namely excellence, compassion, accountability, respect, and equity.' CAPE TIMES
Daily Maverick
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Condemn Gaza genocide, academics, staff urge Stellenbosch University
More than 200 Stellenbosch University staff have said they believe the institution has 'a special moral responsibility' to break its silence on the issue, given its history with apartheid. Academics and staff at Stellenbosch University have called on the institution to break its silence and call for an end to the genocide in the Gaza Strip and sever any ties with implicated Israeli universities. In a statement issued on Wednesday, 18 June, more than 200 signatories called for the university's leadership 'to officially and unequivocally add the university's voice to this worldwide call'. 'The gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the crime of genocide, being committed by Israel in its devastating assault on the Gaza Strip, raise profound questions about the responsibility of universities to condemn such acts and avoid collaborating with implicated Israeli institutions. 'Unlike several other South African universities, Stellenbosch University as an institution has been largely silent on this issue. A Senate motion calling for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel, the passage of humanitarian aid and the return of all captives was defeated on 30 April 2024. As concerned members of the university community, we again call upon our university to take a public stand on the violations of international law being committed against the Palestinian people,' read the statement. According to the statement, the Stellenbosch University academics and administrative staff are calling for: An immediate end to the genocide in Gaza; Immediate relief aid, including food, medicine and fuel into Gaza; An end to starvation as a strategy of war; The establishment of humanitarian corridors so that the injured and sick may be safely evacuated and attended to; and A lasting cessation of violence against the Palestinian people. Several South African universities, including the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape and Nelson Mandela University, have all made official statements calling for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza. In April 2024, a special sitting of the Stellenbosch University Senate rejected a motion urging the institution to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to a GroundUp report. The motion followed a statement signed by 103 Senate members calling for an end to Israel's ' brutal and barbaric ' destruction of Gaza. It has been more than 18 months since Hamas' incursion into southern Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and took about 251 hostage. Since then, Israel has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, while displacing almost the entire population of 2.2 million, according to a Reuters report. On Thursday, 19 June, at least 51 people were reported killed by Israeli authorities, including 12 people who tried to reach the new aid distribution site operated by the Israel and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the central Gaza Strip – the latest in reports of near-daily incidents of Palestinians killed while seeking food. The United Nations (UN) has rejected the contentious GHF operation in Gaza. In a statement on Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory called on the Israeli military to 'immediately cease its use of lethal force around food distribution points in Gaza, following repeated incidents of shooting and killing of Palestinians seeking to access food there'. 'We are horrified at the repeated incidents, continuously reported in recent days across Gaza, and we call for an immediate end to these senseless killings,' said OHCHR. The aid currently reaching Palestinians in Gaza is far from sufficient, and international humanitarian organisations have warned that the vast majority of Palestinians who live in the enclave are at risk of starvation unless the distribution of aid is urgently increased. 'A special moral responsibility' The signatories to the statement said they believed that Stellenbosch University had 'a special moral responsibility' to break its silence on the issue, given its history of facilitating, colluding and collaborating with apartheid, and thus violating human rights'. 'As academics and concerned staff on the African continent, and part of a global society, we recognise that our responsibilities must extend into the cultivation of a public good, not for some, but for all people. 'We also recognise our own positioning at Stellenbosch University, a context that continues to enjoy immense privilege, but which carries historical burdens. Our institution's renewed commitment to transformation demands a heightened sensitivity to human suffering and indifference, not only in the context of South Africa, but also beyond,' the statement read. Speaking to Daily Maverick, Professor Ashraf Kagee from Stellenbosch University's Department of Psychology said he believed that individual academics and institutions 'must be vocal and outspoken in condemning human rights violations of this nature'. 'I think we need to be very clear that we do not ever want to see a world where this is possible; where this is acceptable. And we need to marshal all organs of society, the institutions, the corporations, the governments of the world to address this matter, to isolate Israel, to put as much pressure on the Israeli government and its supporters in the West to make this genocide stop immediately,' he said. 'It's remarkable that almost two years since the genocide began, nothing has been done to stop it. In fact, Western countries are aiding and abetting Israel with support of their militaries.' Kagee said while there had been 'historical complicity with apartheid' at Stellenbosch University, the institution was making a concerted effort to reposition itself, and publicly calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza 'fits in' with its transformation efforts and a crackdown on racism, sexism and other issues of injustice at the institution. 'Suspend collaboration with implicated Israeli universities' Among the demands in the statement is the call for Stellenbosch University to 'commit itself to suspending all collaboration with Israeli universities where there is a risk of direct or indirect involvement in human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories'. Professor Sandy Liebenberg, the HF Oppenheimer chair in Human Rights Law at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Law, said several universities worldwide had done audits of their relationships with Israeli universities and severed ties with those complicit in human rights violations. 'We would like to see the management of the university putting out a statement at least distancing itself from and condemning the gross violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law that's unfolding. But, perhaps more fundamentally, we would like to see some kind of audit committee set up to look at the contacts which might exist between Stellenbosch and implicated institutions – Israeli universities that might be complicit in human rights violations,' she said. In response to questions from Daily Maverick, Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said: 'Stellenbosch University (SU) recognises the severity and far-reaching impact of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. It is important to emphasise that our institution stands firmly for the principles of peace, respect for human rights, freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the principles of international humanitarian law. 'SU is a multistakeholder institution and members of this diverse community will often have differing views on a multitude of matters. While SU as an institution must safeguard this freedom, it does however strongly condemn any form of violence where innocent lives are affected,' said Viljoen. He said that although a resolution on the conflict was not accepted by a majority of the Stellenbosch University Senate in April last year, the university 'acknowledges that this is a humanitarian crisis that has a devastating impact in the region as well as globally and has repeatedly expressed its sympathy for all those affected. 'It is important to emphasise that as a community of scholars, the university is committed to providing a space that encourages constructive debate and academic freedom. To fully perform its role in society, the university must maintain an environment of freedom of inquiry and expression,' he continued. Viljoen said that Stellenbosch University was 'not the only university, locally or globally, that has refrained from an institutional stance on this issue to safeguard academic freedom'. He did not respond to Daily Maverick's question on whether Stellenbosch University had any memoranda of understanding with Israeli universities. DM
The Herald
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald
‘Teaching is breaking us': Eastern Cape's crisis a microcosm of national meltdown
When half of SA's teachers are ready to leave the profession, not because of unruly pupils but because of toxic work environments, you know the system is teetering on the edge. That's what a national study by Stellenbosch University recently revealed. It found that nearly 50% of teachers want to quit, citing stress, poor leadership and burnout, not discipline issues, as the final straw. But what the study does not capture is how this crisis hits harder and deeper in places like the Eastern Cape. In the under-resourced, overlooked schools of the Ngcobo education district, teachers aren't just 'thinking' about leaving. They're already disengaged, emotionally battered and on the brink of collapse. The reality? Children are being taught by professionals who barely hold it together, and no-one is coming to save them. The forgotten foot soldiers Teachers in this district are drowning in stress; silent, unseen casualties of a broken system. But here's the shocking part: most principals have no training or support to help them recognise or manage this burnout. That's not opinion; it's fact, backed by local research involving face-to-face interviews with teachers in five Ngcobo primary schools. Teachers report being emotionally exhausted, unsupported and repeatedly exposed to unresolved conflicts, unfair workloads and dysfunctional leadership. One respondent put it bluntly: 'Some principals don't know how to handle school conflict. There are no structures placed to look after us.' In other words, teachers are suffering in silence while school leaders, many themselves overwhelmed and ill-equipped, turn a blind eye. It starts in grade R and ends in crisis Let's not forget: these aren't high schools. These are primary schools where children are forming foundational skills in reading, maths and emotional development. But when the teacher in front of them is burnt out, angry and absent, what kind of foundation are we laying? Imagine a grade 2 child trying to learn to read from a teacher battling anxiety and depression, someone who hasn't received psychological support in years. That child does not stand a chance. And yet, there are no psychologists, no social workers, and no systemic support for rural teachers. It's a powder keg, and it's already exploding. No systems, no training, no hope According to Voyiya's research, most principals in Ngcobo have no formal systems to identify teachers in distress. They aren't trained to intervene. They don't get the support needed to build a healthy school climate. The result? Dysfunction, absenteeism, incomplete syllabi and plummeting morale. Contrast that with the national picture from Stellenbosch University: teachers across the country are desperate for change. But in rural Eastern Cape schools, the desperation has metastasised into resignation, both literal and emotional. The phrase 'chronic stress' appears in textbooks. But in Ngcobo, it's playing out in real-time, every school day. A failure of leadership and policy Why is it that, in 2025, with all our talk of 'transforming basic education,' there is still no national mandate to train principals in psychosocial leadership? Why is rural Eastern Cape still treated as a footnote in the education conversation, when it's arguably the front line? We need to reframe principals not just as administrators, but as human resource managers, emotional first responders and mental wellness advocates. Until we do, nothing changes. The department of basic education must introduce mandatory psychological wellness training, support systems for school leaders, and place social workers in every school. Anything less is a betrayal. When the teachers break, the system crumbles SA doesn't have a learning problem. It has a leadership problem. It has a support problem. It has a justice problem. If the national government truly cares about learning outcomes, it must stop obsessing over test scores and start caring about the people delivering the curriculum. Teachers aren't robots, they are humans facing immense emotional strain, especially in rural provinces like the Eastern Cape. So here's the hard truth: if we don't address teacher stress with urgency, our children will be taught by ghosts, people present in body but long gone in spirit. And that, more than anything, should terrify us. Dr Mzoli Osborn Voyiya is a school principal and graduated with a PhD in Education Management at Walter Sisulu University, supervised by Prof Sanjay Balkaran. His research focused on teacher wellbeing, rural school leadership and systemic support in under-resourced education districts. This special report into the state of literacy, a collaborative effort by The Herald, Sowetan and Daily Dispatch, was made possible by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation
IOL News
2 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Lessons in not leaving: why we must rethink how we support teachers
While other countries have developed structured support systems for educators, South African teachers are too often left to sink or swim, says the writer. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The writing's not just on the wall but in the resignation letters, the absenteeism, and the exhausted faces in classrooms up and down the country. South Africa's education crisis continues to simmer with our teachers either burnt out, checking out, or, in many cases, walking out altogether. Recent findings from Stellenbosch University's Research on Socio-Economic Policy Unit (ReSEP) confirm what many of us have long suspected. One in four newly qualified teachers leave the profession within three years, and nearly half of all teachers are considering leaving in the next decade. Those who leave do so not because they lack commitment or capability but because they're drowning in a system that offers too little support, too late. We can't keep expecting teachers to be miracle workers in under-resourced environments and then blame them when those very miracles don't materialise. At the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, we work with Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) every day, providing one-on-one coaching, peer learning, and mental health support to teachers in quintile 1–3 schools, the very environments where the need is greatest and the burdens are heaviest. Banele Lukhele Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Our internal data reveals a stark contrast to the national attrition rate, with 80% of our NQTs having committed to staying in the classroom for at least three to five more years. That's not a coincidence but the results of targeted, evidence-based and wraparound support. Teacher stress is not a uniquely South African issue, but while other countries have developed structured support systems for educators, South African teachers are too often left to sink or swim. The weight teachers carry in South Africa, including violence, overcrowded classrooms, unrealistic admin loads and trauma-affected learners, is not new, but what is, is the sheer scale of the exodus. Many feel isolated, silenced by hierarchy, and wholly unprepared for the psychological demands of the profession. It's not just a matter of equipping them with the right tools but about giving them the space and support to use them. This is where coaching becomes not just helpful, but transformative. It offers NQTs a bridge between theory and full-time practice, helping them develop self-reflective and self-improving processes. Each teacher in our programme is paired with a veteran educator, someone who's walked the path and knows where the potholes are. These coaches help NQTs navigate lesson planning and classroom management, identity-building, and crucially, offer emotional regulation. I like to think of it as human, as opposed to professional development. Coaching is content-agnostic and context-responsive, meaning it works across subjects, school phases, and geographies. This makes it one of the few scalable tools that both honours a teacher's individuality and supports systemic growth. It empowers teachers to contextualise their challenges and cultivate resilience, not in isolation, but with structured, compassionate guidance. As a JGF NQT says, 'My first year of teaching did not go so well. If it weren't for my coach, I would have resigned by June.' Beyond individual coaching, we foster professional learning communities and safe spaces where teachers can troubleshoot real-time challenges, share strategies, and lean on each other for strength. We've also partnered with Lyra Wellness to offer mental health support when teachers need more specialised care But here's the truth, we can't do this alone. Supporting our teachers must be a collaborative effort. Programme implementers like JGF can only succeed if school management teams (SMTs), parents, and policymakers are on board. SMTs must create school cultures that prioritise psychological safety, and parents must engage with teachers respectfully, acknowledging them as co-partners in education rather than customer service agents. District and provincial departments must invest in induction, mentorship, and wellness not as nice-to-haves but as non-negotiables. Coaching is also a future-proofing investment. When today's NQTs eventually step into leadership roles or even start their own schools, they bring with them the modelling and methods of coaching. In this way, coaching becomes a generative cycle with those who receive support becoming the ones who provide it. This is how we shift from isolated interventions to embedded, systemic change. It is time that we stop treating teacher burnout as a side effect and recognise it as an urgent threat to our education system and our country's future. If we keep losing teachers, we'll lose everything else too. We often say the quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers, but that wisdom is meaningless if our policies and practices fail to protect those very teachers from systemic collapse. South Africa needs to move beyond the rhetoric and provide teachers with the support they need to remain where they matter the most, the classroom. Wraparound support, especially coaching, isn't a luxury. It's a lifeline. If we don't act now, we'll lose not just a generation of teachers but the generations of learners who depend on them. | Lukhele is CEO of the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship which aims to support and retain passionate young teachers by equipping them with coaching, community, and professional development to grow in South Africa's classrooms. THE MERCURY
