South Africa: 20 Universities Unite to Help Students Succeed

South Africa's universities are gathering this month to celebrate a quiet revolution in how they help students succeed.

The Siyaphumelela network, which means "We succeed" in isiXhosa, brings together 20 public universities around one simple goal: helping more students finish their degrees and launch meaningful careers. Since 2014, the initiative has transformed how schools think about student success.

The annual conference in Johannesburg from June 23 to 26 marks a turning point. More than 450 people will attend, including 45 students from across the country, to share what's worked and plan the next chapter.

Professor Francois Strydom from the University of the Free State has been part of the network since the beginning. He says the power lies in universities asking themselves a tough question: "Are we part of the problem?"

That shift in thinking has sparked real changes. Instead of focusing on what students lack, schools are redesigning their own systems to better support learners. Universities now offer structured advising, first year experience programs, and language development help based on what students actually need.

The numbers tell an encouraging story. South Africa has dramatically expanded access to higher education over three decades, with university enrollment now reflecting the country's diverse population. While graduation gaps linked to race and socioeconomic status still exist, retention and completion rates are climbing.

The Kresge Foundation, a US philanthropy group, invested $6.3 million in 2024 to expand the network. As that funding cycle approaches 2027, leaders from government, business, and education are exploring new partnerships to keep the momentum going.

The Ripple Effect

What makes Siyaphumelela special isn't just the data or the programs. It's the community it has built.

Universities that once competed now collaborate, sharing strategies and supporting each other's growth. When one school discovers an approach that helps students transition smoothly into university life or graduate on time, others adapt it for their campuses.

Professor Strydom puts it simply: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." The network proves that collective effort creates lasting change.

The conference will honor Jenny Glennie, Saide's founding director who helped build Siyaphumelela for over a decade before her death last December. Her legacy lives on in a system designed to help every student thrive, not just survive.

As universities worldwide question their relevance in preparing graduates for changing economies, South Africa's collaborative approach offers a hopeful answer: listen to students, redesign systems around their needs, and never stop learning from each other.

Four hundred fifty delegates gathering in Johannesburg represents more than a conference—it's a commitment that student success remains everyone's responsibility.