On 24 and 25 June 2025, the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Student Representative Council (SRC), Division of Student Affairs and the Northern Cape Provincial Government collaborated in the 1st Annual Nurturing Young Minds Grade 12 Initiative. 200 Grade 12 pupils from the Pixley Ka Seme District in the Northern Cape visited Sol Plaatje University.
This inaugural initiative was adopted by the SRC in collaboration with the Provincial government and various departments and units within the University. The programme aims to bridge the gap between Grade 12 and the First Year Experience at Sol Plaatje University. Furthermore, it seeks to equip the Grade 12s with knowledge, skills and the mindset necessary to thrive at university by exposing the learners to the SPU application process, academic pathways, co-curricular and sport programme offerings, as well as the University’s civic engagement initiatives. This programme ultimately aims to cultivate these young minds within the Northern Cape to prepare for university life and recognise personal development opportunities, including being socially responsible and purpose-driven in their choice of study.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Ms Nicole Morris, in her remarks regarding the programme, referred learners to Steve Jobs’ quote, “Stay hungry, stay foolish,” which was intended to enable them to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and risk-taking. When referring to “stay hungry”, Ms Morris explained that as learners, they must never be satisfied with the current knowledge or achievements and must always seek to achieve more. She elaborated on “stay foolish” by encouraging the learners to embrace unconventional paths, being innovative and not being afraid of looking foolish in pursuit of their ideas and greatness. Furthermore, Ms Morris emphasised that the importance of “today’s programme reaffirms the SRC understanding that they are members of the community before they are students. Such partnerships ensure an authentic foundation which seeks to advance the interests of the Northern Cape and that of the nation”.
The Grade 12 pupils hailed from Noupoort, Colesberg, Prieska, Douglas, De Aar, Brits town, Strydenburg and Hopetown and for many this was their first exposure to an institution of higher learning. The programme included exhibitions from the Campus Housing and Accommodation Unit as well as the Sport Unit on the services they provide to students. This also included presentations by the SPU Student Recruitment Office, Drama Group, Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Student Assistance, Career Services Office, Health and Wellness Unit, Sport Unit, Campus Housing and Accommodation Unit, as well as the First Year Experience Ambassadors.
The SRC President, Mx Quinton Oliphant Nonofo, motivated the Grade 12 learners by stressing to them the importance of obtaining good Grade 12 results for their future and encouraging them to persevere. Mx Nonofo stated that “you must focus and stay the course, we are aware that matric is difficult, however, you must remember that your future is not determined by your background but rather it is determined by your efforts”.
The Head of Basic Education in the Northern Cape, Dr Michelle Ishmael, affirmed the Northern Cape Education Department’s commitment and support to ensure that learners in high schools are provided with the requisite support to enable them to succeed in matric and pursue post-school education.
The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, emphasised the importance of Grade 12 in determining one’s life direction. Dr Saul emphasised the importance of the Grade 12 learners staying focused on their studies. He indicated in his remarks that the Pixley Ka Seme District is the most improved education district in the country as per the 2024 Matric results. Dr Saul told the Grade 12 learners that this programme would give them a practical experience of university and inspire them to defy all odds. The Premier stated that “if we allowed our backgrounds to dictate to us, I would not have been the Premier of the Northern Cape today”. The learners were encouraged to disrupt the narrative and not allow their background to create prison walls for their success. Dr Saul also advised the Grade 12 learners to to practice discipline to stay the course and achieve great results as the class of 2025. The Premier wished the 2025 Grade 12 class the best of luck in their preparation for exams, and indicated that, as the class of 2025, they must strive to improve the performance of their school, just as the class of 2024 had done.
This initiative will be a yearly programme in collaboration with the SRC, Division of Student Affairs, and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, as the SRC has adopted it as a legacy project to make post-school qualifications a reality for the Northern Cape community.
SPU thanks the Pixley Ka Seme Education District Director, Mr Freddy Silengile, along with his team, for coordinating with the teachers and schools from the district to participate in this programme.
