Fort Hare

The University of Fort Hare, situated along the Tyhume River valley, was established in what was once an Eastern Cape garrison post to fortify a troubled frontier. It became world renowned as a bastion of higher learning which produced some of the greatest minds to come out of South Africa. It was, in fact, the first ever university created specifically for Africans in the Union of South Africa. Set in a typically controlled mission environment, along with other historical missionary schools, it extended influence beyond the geo-political boundaries of the Union. By mid-twentieth century some of Fort Hare’s students and staff were also intertwined with national political movements. The names of luminaries from politics, business, arts, science and academia are to be found in the records of the institution. Aside from these being among the leaders in their respective fields, many of them, as students at Fort Hare, endured persecution and torture by the apartheid government and helped to lay the basis of our democratic South Africa. Today, Fort Hare University, with its enviable history is a dynamic learning centre for the regeneration of young Africans. This book is a pictorial snapshot of an institution that is an integral part of the South African story. * The University of Fort Hare is the oldest university on the African continent and many of South Africa’s leaders as well as those of other African countries were educated at this university. * 2016 marked the centenary of this university and this book is a celebration of its rich history. * The book is written in a very accessible manner and includes interesting profiles of people who attended the university in its first century including Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Oliver Tambo and Sir Seretse Khama to name a few.