The founding Vice-Chancellor of the erstwhile University of Bophuthatswana (UNIBO), now known as North West University (NWU), Professor John Makhene, expressed deep concern regarding the staggeringly low student graduation rates across South African universities. At the age of 90, Prof Makhene continues to emit a sense of urgency about the educational landscape of the nation, even as he was recently honoured at a colloquium celebrating his groundbreaking contributions to higher education in Mahikeng.
The event, held at the Mmabatho Palms on Friday, attracted an audience of former students now leading distinguished careers as professors in various fields, all of whom acknowledged Prof Makhene as a tireless advocate for accessible and inclusive education during a transformative period in the country’s history. Their testimonies highlighted Makhene’s commitment to building an educational framework that served both local and international students.
As he reflected on the current challenges facing higher education, Prof Makhene was candid in addressing the alarming graduation statistics. “One of the biggest problems I have noticed is the low successful graduation rate,” he remarked. “I was shocked to learn that only 30% of students manage to graduate within three years. This was the same percentage reported in a 1972 study conducted whilst I was at Fort Hare University.” His astonishment underscored an urgent need for systemic changes in universities nationwide.
Prof Makhene spoke passionately about his proactive strategies in assembling a diverse faculty during his tenure. “The Human Resource Department resided in my head,” he noted, pointing to his own sense of responsibility and foresight in recruitment. “I was intentional in the recruitment of my staff. It was critical for me to maintain a balance between local and international educators and to attract students from neighbouring countries.” His meticulous approach allowed him to identify suitable candidates even before vacancies were advertised, ensuring the establishment of a unique educational ethos within the institution.
Despite his numerous accomplishments and lasting impact on the academic world, Prof Makhene expressed a singular regret: the inability to establish a School of Public Health. “I envisioned a school that would focus on preventive methodologies in townships, addressing health issues before they became critical,” he lamented. Although he made strides in founding a School of Nursing at UNIBO, time prevented the fulfilment of his vision for public health education.
As the discourse on education reform continues, Prof Makhene’s insights beckon a collective introspection among stakeholders in higher education. With the challenges of graduation rates looming large, his legacy serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a clarion call for immediate, dedicated action in South Africa’s educational trajectory.
