UFH Alumni Affairs

| Be the Difference

The University of Fort Hare Foundation proudly invites our alumni, friends, partners and supporters to the Chancellor's Fundraising Gala Dinner on Friday, 28 August 2026 at the ICC, East London.
This unforgettable evening will feature a keynote address by Prof. Nyameko Barney Pityana and a captivating live performance by award-winning jazz sensation Dumza Maswana.This unforgettable evening will feature a keynote address by Prof. Nyameko Barney Pityana and a captivating live performance by award-winning jazz sensation Dumza Maswana.
Together, we'll celebrate Fort Hare's legacy while raising funds to support financially distressed students with access to education and the opportunity to succeed.
Date: Friday, 28 August 2026 Time: 18:30 for 19:00 Venue: International Convention Centre (ICC), East London
Tickets from R1 000 | Corporate tables available
Let's continue the Fort Hare tradition of lifting others as we rise.Date: Friday, 28 August 2026 Time: 18:30 for 19:00 Venue: International Convention Centre (ICC), East London
Tickets from R1 000 | Corporate tables available
Let's continue the Fort Hare tradition of lifting others as we rise.

🎓University of Fort Hare Alumni, let’s give back! ⛳

Join us in supporting the Chancellor’s Fundraising Golf Day and help Restore Hope for distressed students.

Together, we can make a difference and keep the Fort Hare legacy alive.

🎉 **UFH Alumni Excellence | Congratulations to Wongama Singalone Tengela!** 🎉

The University of Fort Hare proudly congratulates alumnus Mr. Wongama Singalone Tengela on receiving the Joe Slovo Housing Policy Excellence Regional Award at the 2026 Pan African City Symposium and Exposition (PACSE 2026), held in Gqeberha, South Africa.

The prestigious award recognises excellence in housing policy development, reform, and implementation that advances equitable and sustainable human settlements. It celebrates leaders whose work promotes social justice, innovation, and inclusive development across Africa.

Mr. Tengela completed his Bachelor of Education (Science) at the University of Fort Hare in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 2009.

His remarkable achievement reflects the values of excellence, leadership, and service that define Fort Hare graduates. We celebrate his contribution to sustainable human settlements and wish him continued success as he inspires positive change across the continent.

👏 Congratulations, Mr. Tengela! Your alma mater is immensely proud of you.

#𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗢𝗻𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 | 𝗨𝗙𝗛 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗼𝘀𝗶 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) congratulates one of its distinguished alumni, Mr Thembinkosi Bonakele, on his appointment as Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Board, marking yet another significant achievement in a career defined by exemplary public service, legal excellence, and transformative leadership.

A proud Fort Hare graduate, Bonakele obtained his Bachelor of Juris (B Juris) in 1997 and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1999.

During his time at UFH, he served as President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Deputy President of the South African University Students Congress (SAUSC), and as a student representative on the University’s Council and Senate.

READ MORE | https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/ufh-alumnus-thembinkosi-bonakele-appointed-chairperson-of-national-lotteries-commission-board

The University of Fort Hare congratulates Mr. Baxolise Mali, UFH alumnus and former SRC Secretary General, on his election as 2nd Deputy General Secretary of NEHAWU at the 13th National Congress.
Mali completed his Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information System (GIS) in 2005. Wishing you every success in your new leadership role. Congratulations! 👏🏾🎉

#𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗢𝗻𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 | 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗼-𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿

The University of Fort Hare congratulates distinguished alumna, Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, on being awarded the Order of the Baobab in Bronze by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The National Orders are among the highest honours bestowed by South Africa on citizens who have made a significant contribution to democracy, social justice, and nation-building.

Prof Gobodo-Madikizela, who completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Fort Hare in 1977 and her Honours Degree in Psychology in 1979, has built an internationally respected career as a psychologist, author, researcher, and public intellectual.

Her portrait, displayed among other iconic Fort Hare figures at the De Beers Art Gallery on the Alice campus, stands as a reminder of the impact of her work and the enduring value of education embedded in humanity.

READ MORE | https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/fort-hare-celebrates-alumna-prof-pumla-gobodo-madikizela-on-national-honour

Photo by Stefan Elsfor - Stellenbosch University

𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮

An esteemed University of Fort Hare (UFH) legal academic, alumna, and proud daughter of Qaga Village in the Eastern Cape, Prof Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya, has been appointed Judge of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Makhanda, bringing to the Bench a career shaped by law, learning, and service.

Her appointment was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 13 May (last Wednesday), under Section 174(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

Prof Ntlama-Makhanya describes the milestone as “a major breakthrough in my professional life.” Even so, she speaks about the moment with great humility.

READ MORE | https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/nurtured-at-fort-hare-called-to-the-bench-the-journey-of-prof-ntlama-makhanya

𝗨𝗙𝗛 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆

The University of Fort Hare Convocation has officially welcomed a new cohort of graduates into its alumni community following the 2026 Autumn Graduation ceremonies marked by celebration, reflection, and renewed institutional pride.

Altogether, a total of 3646 students were capped during the week-long ceremonies.

Addressing the graduates, Deputy President of Convocation Sonwabiso Mamkeli said the moment represented a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the university, noting that many graduates had entered the institution years ago with “hope, courage, and dreams” and were now leaving with qualifications that could never be taken away.

READ MORE | https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/ufh-convocation-welcomes-new-graduates-into-fort-hares-proud-legacy

Sinethemba Bili releases his homage to Dimbaza — 19 years later Nineteen years after composing the song Dimbaza My Home, producer, sound engineer, musician and educator Sinethemba Bili finally released it as a single on Sunday.

SAVE THE DATE |Swinging for a cause ⛳✨
Join the University of Fort Hare Foundation for the Chancellor’s Fundraising Golf Day & Gala Dinner , a day of sport, networking, and giving back.
📅 28 August 2026
📍 East London Golf Course
Together, we’re restoring hope by supporting students in need and empowering future success 🎓💙