Twenty-six of our SL4E programme participants graduated with their Advanced Diploma in Education (ADE) through the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2021. As a result of the Covid-19 eventing restrictions, no official live ceremony took place. Uplands Outreach undertook to celebrate the perseverance and academic achievements of these successful graduates by holding a graduation ceremony in their honour. This prestigious event was recently held on the Uplands campus.
These graduates also made history by becoming the first recipients of the ADE in South Africa. Despite the many challenges that they faced in their studies, the partnership and support of UJ and Uplands Outreach saw them through.
Prof du Plessis and Prof Raj Mestry were actively involved in the programme from inception and were on hand to complete their duties as representatives of UJ, by delivering an address and presenting the graduates with their certificates. Ms Hazel Brukwe, a Director at the Ehlanzeni District’s Department of Education, also gave an inspiring address filled with praise and encouragement for the graduates. The Phakani Combined School Choir enthralled the audience with a beautiful rendition of songs, and they were conducted by Musa Mathebula (a graduate) who has recently won the award for the Best Conductor at the ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE).
We are confident that the future is indeed bright and prosperous for all the learners at our partner schools under the leadership and management of our SL4E graduates.