African Leadership
The University of Fort Hare is situated in the historic town of Alice, built on the site of a former military station. The land was donated to the government by the United Free Church of Scotland. The University of Fort Hare has been recognised as one of the more prestigious universities in Africa. Its establishment stemmed from the need for an exclusive tertiary institution for black students.
University of Fort Hare was founded in 1916 and is the first historically black institution in South Africa. The university has a long-standing tradition of non-racism, characterised by intellectually enriching and critical debate. It was an important meeting point for intellectuals during the apartheid years, when the liberation movement was formed and black South Africans were pushing for the abolishment of the oppressive regime. Leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Robert Sobukwe studied at the University of Fort Hare, all of whom were known for their fearless leadership and great political strategies.
Other alumni of the University of Fort Hare include Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Ernest Mancoba, Dennis Brutus (an acclaimed poet) and Can Themba (an accomplished journalist). Graduates from countries like Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria have also achieved great strides in careers including politics, medicine, literature and art.
Alice is a quaint little town situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, known for its old charm. The town grew around a military encampm...
The area of Alice was originally named Lovedale by European missionaries, who settled there in 1824. Alice is now home to the esteemed Unive...