Training for Tertiary Studies

Simphiwe grew up in Alexandra. He lost his parents before he was 6 years old and grew up in a household of men, parented by his grandfather. He matriculated in the 2020 Covid year, with distinctions in 5 subjects including Maths, Accounting and Physical Science. Simphiwe feels a responsibility toward his grandfather who became blind two years ago. He remains positive, determined and hard-working. He is an example to the other Ignition students of resilience and determination. He is very committed to achieving his goals.

Ignition Youth Development believes in the power of education to transform lives and break the cycle of poverty. We aim to give more youth from Alexandra Township access to tertiary studies, to support them in ways that will help them succeed, and ultimately to launch them into their careers.

All our students come from very disadvantaged backgrounds, with many families living off social income grants, in cramped housing with shared ablutions. Many students are orphaned or from single-parent households, and almost all are from primary schools that start in Grade 1, with 50 or more learners per teacher. We select learners who have succeeded in the face of such adversity, leaners who have shown great tenacity and commitment in achieving academic results that allow for tertiary studies.

Our students face a multitude of challenges, more than the average South African youth. Funding is just one element of access. We have grown to understand what additional support our students need to succeed and excel in tertiary studies. All our students are required to participate in all our programmes. This starts with choosing a career path that is well suited to their personal interests, values and strengths. We provide full psychometric assessments, paired with many hours of professional guidance counselling, research and job shadowing, helping learners to choose courses they are most likely to succeed in, find jobs in and be fulfilled in. We provide Maths lessons in Grade 12 to help improve their chances of being accepted into university .

We provide training that helps them get established at university, for example, tertiary study skills, exam techniques, where to find help, etc. Our training also helps them grow personally, learn to manage their personal finances and prepare them for the world of work. They are actively supported by a mentor who encourages them and helps them problem-solve. We provide additional psycho-social support where necessary. Importantly, our students develop a new family of peers who come from the same background as them, and who set the example of what is possible for them.

Each year our students consistently achieve over an 85% pass rate in all the courses they attempt, and between 10-25% of those courses are passed with Distinction. This is in stark contrast to the stats given by the Department of Higher Education and Training some years ago, which stated that less than 50% of students who start at tertiary ever graduate, and that 30% of all black students fall out in their first year.

This project is to raise the balance of the funds needed for Simphiwe Ndlovu to complete his second year of studies.