About the Institution
Traditionally recognised as one of the prestigious universities on the continent of Africa, the University of Fort Hare stemmed from the initiatives of the black elite and early twentieth-century white liberals, many of them clergy, and supported by many traditional Southern African leaders. Fort Hare came into existence in 1916 and is the oldest historically black university in Southern Africa. Throughout its existence, Fort Hare graduates have come from as far North as Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, and all knew they were as good as the best. Many enjoyed prominent careers in fields as diverse as politics, medicine, literature and art. Some alumni, like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo Govan Mbeki, Chris Hani, Robert Sobukwe, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Dennis Brutus (an acclaimed poet), Can Themba (an accomplished journalist), Yusuf Lule of Uganda, Ntsu Mokehle of Lesotho, Seretse Khama of Botswana, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Herbert Chitepo, novelist Stanlake Samkange and the first black Zimbabwean medical doctor, Ticofa Parirenyatwa, are well known. Eliud Mathu and Charles Njonjo are two of our better-known alumni in Kenya. This cosmopolitan university boasts a long-standing tradition of non-racism which is characterised by intellectually enriching and critical debate. There is an almost tangible aspiration towards educational excellence while social life on campus is vibrant. The model blueprint for the transformation and repositioning of this legendary institution in the twentieth century - the Strategic Plan 2000 and the subsequent Institutional Operating Plan(IOP) - nurtures and builds upon this tradition. The objective of these internationally lauded corporate re- engineering plans is to make this university worthy of its rich inheritance as a reflection of a dynamic institution. The 26th of April 2005 saw the University of Fort Hare receiving One of the highly celebrated national Orders - The Supreme Order of Baobab (Gold Class) from President Thabo Mbeki. Rich in visual and literary symbolism, the award draws its inspiration from a 3000 year old tree, whose odd hydra-like and upside root structure seems to defy the laws of gravity. Mainly found in the northern parts of southern Africa, the Baobab is known for its ...

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