University of Fort Hare facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of Fort Hare

Motto	In lumine tuo videbimus lumen ("In your light we shall see the light"), from Psalm 36
Type	Public university
Established	1916; 109 years ago (1916)
Chancellor	Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza
Vice-Chancellor	Sakhela Buhlungu
Students	13,331 (2015)
Location	Main campus: Alice Other: Bhisho East London , Eastern Cape , South Africa 32°47′15″S 26°50′51″E / 32.78750°S 26.84750°E / -32.78750; 26.84750
Colors	Blue      White      Yellow

The University of Fort Hare (Afrikaans: Universiteit van Fort Hare) is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A public university is a school that is funded by the government.

From 1916 to 1959, it was a very important place for higher education for black African students. It gave them a Western-style education. Students came from all over sub-Saharan Africa (the part of Africa south of the Sahara Desert). Many of its graduates became important leaders in their countries. They helped lead movements for independence and became part of new governments in Africa.

In 1959, the university became part of the apartheid system. Apartheid was a system of laws in South Africa that separated people by race. Now, the University of Fort Hare is part of South Africa's public higher education system again. Many famous people studied here, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Robert Sobukwe, and Oliver Tambo.

History of Fort Hare University

Union Hall at the University of Fort Hare

The area where the university stands was once a British fort. This fort was used during wars between British settlers and the Xhosa in the 1800s. You can still see some old ruins of the fort today. There are also graves of British soldiers who died there.

Near Fort Hare, the Lovedale Missionary Institute was built in the 1830s. A missionary named James Stewart suggested in 1878 that a university for black students was needed. He did not live to see his idea come true.

The University of Fort Hare opened in 1916. Alexander Kerr was its first principal. D. D. T. Jabavu was the first black staff member. He taught Latin and African languages. The university kept its fees low to help students. Many scholarships were also available for students who needed financial help.

Over the years, Fort Hare had different names and connections. It was first called the South African Native College. It was linked to the University of South Africa. Later, it became the University College of Fort Hare. Then it was connected to Rhodes University.

When apartheid began, universities in South Africa were separated by race. Before this, black, Indian, coloured, and some white students studied together. From 1953, Fort Hare became part of the Bantu education system. This system was designed to give black students a different, often poorer, education. In 1959, the government took control of the university. It was separated even more by race and tribe. Teaching in African languages was encouraged instead of English. In 1970, Fort Hare became a black university. It was strictly controlled by the government.

Centenary logo in 2016

From 1916 to 1959, Fort Hare was a very important place for black African students. It gave them a Western-style education. This helped create a group of educated black African leaders. Many Fort Hare graduates became part of independence movements. They also became leaders in new African countries. Some of these leaders included Kenneth Kaunda, Seretse Khama, Yusuf Lule, Julius Nyerere, Robert Mugabe, and Joshua Nkomo.

Liberation movement archives

Many important people who fought against apartheid also studied at Fort Hare. These include Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, and Oliver Tambo from the African National Congress. Also, Mangosuthu Buthelezi from the Inkatha Freedom Party, Robert Sobukwe from the Pan Africanist Congress, and Desmond Tutu. Nelson Mandela studied Latin and physics there in the 1940s. He left the university after a disagreement. He later wrote that for young black South Africans, Fort Hare was like the best universities in the world combined.

After apartheid ended, Oliver Tambo became the university's chancellor in 1991. In 2005, the University of Fort Hare received a special award. It was given the Order of the Baobab in Gold. This was for its "Exceptional contribution to Black academic training and leadership development on the African continent."

University Campuses and Studies

Faculty of Law

The main campus of the university is in Alice. It is near the Tyhume River in the Eastern Cape Province. This area was once known as the "independent" state of Ciskei. In 2011, about 6,400 students studied at the Alice campus.

A second campus was built in 1990 in Bhisho. This is the capital of the Eastern Cape province. It has a few hundred students. In 2004, the university also took over a campus in East London. This campus now has about 4,300 students.

The university has five main study areas, called faculties:

• Education
• Law
• Management & Commerce
• Science & Agriculture
• Social Sciences & Humanities

All these faculties offer different levels of degrees, up to a doctorate.

University Plans and Research

Sports grounds and swimming pool

Fort Hare De Beers Art Gallery

After a difficult period in the 1990s, the university made new plans. They wanted to improve its finances and academic quality. The university focused on its five main faculties.

It also created 14 special institutes. These institutes deal with specific issues. For example, one is the UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights. Because of its location, the university's research can help poor rural areas. It focuses on how research can improve lives and create jobs.

One project is the Telkom Centre of Excellence. It has a "living laboratory" of four schools in Dwesa. These schools now have computer labs and internet. Before 2005, these areas did not even have electricity. The projects in Dwesa focus on using information and communication to help communities grow.

In 2004, the university gained the East London campus. This gave it a campus in a city and near the coast for the first time. The university has grown quickly since then. Its current plan, "Strategic Plan 2009-2016," guides its development. This plan will take the university to its 100th birthday.

Famous People Who Studied Here

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Fort Hare para niños

• List of universities in South Africa