Tears of joy, broad smiles, and a general sense of accomplishment marked a special graduation ceremony at the Brandvlei Correctional Centre just outside Worcester on Thursday (23 October 2025). Friends, families, and lecturers gathered to celebrate the graduates of the Ubuntu Learning Community Interdisciplinary Short Course.

A pioneering partnership established in 2018 between Stellenbosch University (SU) and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the initiative has been reshaping the lives of incarcerated individuals and university students through shared learning. The programme aims to foster educational access for those in prison while empowering students to engage meaningfully with issues of social justice and personal transformation.

At this end-of-year event, participants were presented with certificates for completing an SU-accredited interdisciplinary short course. The course was facilitated by SU academics from various faculties and departments: History, Law, English, and Economics.

Under the 2025 theme “Changing together in a changing world”, a cohort of 19 Brandvlei students and 18 SU students shared around 50 hours of classroom time together – to break down barriers and create lifelong connections.

The programme is championed by Dr Mary Nel, Academic Director of the Ubuntu Learning Community and senior lecturer in SU’s Department of Public Law. It represents a remarkable merging of two different worlds, united by a shared belief in education as a force for transformation.

The morning began with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a devotion led by Reverend Dr Wonke Buqa, Chaplain of the Brandvlei Management Area, who grounded the gathering in a moment of reflection.

Drawing from Proverbs 18:5 – "It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice" – Buqa reminded everyone that true justice must always be guided by fairness, compassion, and understanding.

Ms Esther Visagie of the DCS extended a warm welcome, followed by reflections from Nel and Ms Vanessa Pilkington, a volunteer in the programme. They spoke about the programme’s journey and the vision that drives it: to create a space where learning transcends prison walls and where participants discover the freedom of thought even within confinement.

“Education goes hand in hand with discipline,” said Visagie. “You can achieve today, but what are you going to do with these accolades inside [the correctional centre]? It must be balanced with discipline and not with smuggling, fighting, ill-discipline, or anything that is not in line with this accolade. You can have the highest qualification in life, but people will always remember how you behave and how you treated them.”

“Education really opens up the mind and transcends prison walls, and so does art,” Pilkington added. "We had an amazing group – both last year and this year – they are producing wonderful work, but they are also just enjoying art and learning.”

References were made to bursaries and partnerships with the Western Cape Education Foundation (WCEF), all of which echoed the sub-theme: "Free our minds."

Nel shared excellent news that delighted those attending the celebration. The Wheatfield Estate Foundation Trust has committed to providing five to eight bursaries to deserving students in 2026.

"The students have a new perspective on life because of what they've learned," Nel said. "This changes what they do and how they are in the world. Our teaching philosophy at the Ubuntu Learning Community Short Course is directed towards making these transformative moments possible.”

Nel continued: “One of the students, in their feedback, mentioned, ‘I did not expect everyone in the room to be passionate to learn; that to me is a feat that no one can surpass.’ ”

Entertaining moments were interspersed throughout the ceremony, with a performance by Clarence Strauss, who gave a heart-wrenching rendition of Whitney Houston’s classic “The Greatest Love of All” on his saxophone; Thabo Mxotwa wrote and performed an original poem about hope; while Audrey Hu also shared their poetry with the gathering.

A highlight of the day was the keynote address by Ralph Brandt, a graduate of the Ubuntu Learning Community who once participated in the programme while incarcerated.

It has been just over a year since his release. Brandt is a living example of transformation, having completed his studies and contributed to community education initiatives.

“Just because we’ve been locked behind closed doors for so long does not mean the doors to our dreams are locked too,” Brandt said.

He first completed a higher certificate in economic management science and then a Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) degree. He has now finished his postgraduate diploma in applied accounting science, also known as PGDA/CTA.

The handover of certificates was facilitated by Nel and Dr Leslie van Rooi, acting Senior Director: Student Affairs. Families and peers applauded as each name was called, with some graduates breaking into tears as they received their certificates.

Ms Annah Dlamini, recently appointed Regional Coordinator of the Department of Correctional Services, offered congratulatory remarks, commending the graduates for their courage and perseverance.

As the applause faded, there was a quiet recognition among all who attended that what had taken place was far more than a graduation ceremony. It was an affirmation of Ubuntu – the belief that our humanity is bound up in one another’s.

“The doors to your destiny will only be opened if you take the steps to open them,” Brandt continued. “Just over eight months ago, I was given the opportunity to do my articles at an auditing firm. Recently, I was accepted as a trainee accountant by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. I’m also doing my honours degree in accounting. So, in a few years, I will not only be Ralph Brandt, but Ralph Brandt CA! Education gave me back my voice and reminded me of who I could still become.”

As the sun warmed the Breede Valley, the words of one participant summarised the entire event: “This course liberated my mind, my soul, and my spirit. It made me feel human again.”