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HSRC Annual Report 2016/17
Race, Education and Emancipation
Over a
five-year period
, the study tracked the experience
of
80 students
from eight South African universities
Participants garnered stories through annual
in-depth
interviews
, a
weblog
and
student-led interviews
with members of the universities and their social networks.
Of the cohort,
27
students graduated,
35
students are
still studying,
7
left before degree completion, and
11
withdrew from the study or were untraceable
66 Black African
6 Coloured
66 Black African
2 Indian
The study proposes a wide variety of actions for all stakeholders. Key amongst these are the role students themselves
can play in their own success by adopting strategies to navigate the environment and by changing their own behaviour;
the central role of parents in ensuring success; the efficacy of mentoring as a key intervention; the importance of strong
and empathetic administrative assistance to students; the need for universities to embrace the culture and heritage of
students; and the fundamental issue of making study accessible and affordable.
Alongside the report, the study produced a documentary entitled“Ready or not: Black students’experiences of university
in South Africa”. It is envisaged that this documentary will become a key resource for universities in the orientation of
students, and as they reflect on their own practice and conduct outreach to high school students.