Higher Education and Philanthropy in South Africa: A Civic Lens on Unequal Access, Collective Responsibility, and Youth Futures
As South Africa’s academic year settles into motion, a familiar reality returns: students who meet entry requirements still struggle to register, secure housing, or continue their studies because of financial pressure, historic debt, and uneven institutional support. These annual waves of protest and disruption point to a deeper truth, higher education access remains shaped by long-standing structural inequality.
From a youth and civic lens, this piece explores why barriers persist, how they intersect with unemployment and social mobility, and where philanthropy can play a catalytic role. It reflects on what works, what falls short, and what it will take to build stronger, youth-informed alliances that expand opportunity and dignity across the sector.
Image Credit: University of Fort Hare, a historical institution in of African history and education in South Africa