UFH Alumni Affairs

#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 🎓💙

Official statement from the Convocation Executive Committee to the UFH Alumni community regarding the precautionary suspension of the Vice-Chancellor & Principal.

📢 Call for Honorary Degree Nominations

The University of Fort Hare invites nominations for Honorary Degrees to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields and to society.

🗓 Deadline: Nominations must be submitted by 30 April 2026 to be considered for the 2026 Spring Graduation.

Submit your nomination here: https://www.ufh.ac.za/honorary-degrees

📧 Enquiries: [email protected]

#𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶𝗢𝗻𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 | 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮’𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

From the rural village of Ngxingweni to becoming a respected agronomist, Babalwa Ntwana-Mpambani’s story is one of perseverance, family support, and the power of education.

This University of Fort Hare Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - Production Science graduate (2004) has turned childhood experiences in farming and traditional knowledge into a career in agricultural science.

Today, she leads horticultural research at the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, working to preserve and unlock the value of medicinal plants found across the Eastern Cape.

Her inspiring story was recently featured by Food For Mzansi.

READ MORE | https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/babalwas-mission-saving-the-eastern-capes-medicinal-plants/

UFH Convocation at the AUC AGM
The University of Fort Hare Convocation Executive (ConvEx) is currently attending the Annual General Meeting of the Association of University Convocations (AUC) taking place at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley.
Representing University of Fort Hare are the President of Convocation, Mr Pezisa, and the Secretary General, Ms Sbukwana.
The AGM provides an important platform for universities to engage, share best practices, and benchmark on key issues such as good governance, transparency, institutional development, student support, and graduate employability.
UFH ConvEx values this opportunity to collaborate with other institutions in strengthening convocation structures and advancing the interests of graduates and higher education.

| 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗵𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗼𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has celebrated many proud alumni moments, and the appointment of Wandile Sihlobo as Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land by President Cyril Ramaphosa is certainly one of them.

Sihlobo graduated from Fort Hare in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics). He currently serves as Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and is a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. He is also a Senior Lecturer Extraordinary at Stellenbosch University and has published widely on agricultural policy, land reform, and food security.

In announcing the appointment at the weekend, the Presidency stated that "in this role, Mr Sihlobo will support the Presidency’s priorities and objectives on agriculture, rural development, land reform, and international trade. He will work closely with the responsible departments in pursuit of the Presidency’s priorities.”

As Sihlobo himself said during a recent visit to his alma mater as a keynote speaker: “We can’t talk of agricultural growth and expansion without including Fort Hare, its researchers, and students.” His appointment is a living example of that belief.

READ MORE | https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/fort-hare-alumnus-wandile-sihlobo-appointed-presidential-envoy-on-agriculture-and-land