Gadra Education

25/03/2026

The success story continues — and this time, we celebrate the power of partnership.

This week’s graduation ceremonies have highlighted the incredible impact of the 9/10ths mentoring programme, a collaboration between GADRA and Rhodes University that is changing lives and opening doors.

Out of 124 local students graduating this week, an impressive 42 students came through the 9/10ths mentoring partnership (the remaining 82 through GMS). That’s a powerful testament to what intentional support, mentorship, and opportunity can achieve.

Even more inspiring — 21 of these 9/10ths graduates are being capped for a second time, earning postgraduate qualifications and continuing their academic journeys.

Zooming out, the big picture is truly remarkable: 1 in every 18 graduates this week is a local student who has accessed Rhodes via GMS or the 9/10ths mentoring programme.

These numbers tell a deeper story — one of resilience, guidance, and communities working together intentionally to nurture excellence.

To every student who has walked this path, your achievements are not just personal milestones, they are proof of what is possible to those who come after you.

We are proud of you. We celebrate you. We believe in what comes next for you and your families.

Send a message to learn more

25/03/2026

What a week for the GADRA Matric School (GMS) family!

A record-breaking 82 GMS alumni are graduating from Rhodes this week. That means 1 in every 27 students crossing the Monument stage is daughter or son of GMS!

Our graduates are earning qualifications across an impressive range of fields in Humanities, Education, Commerce, and Science. This year our alumni are graduating with 51 undergraduate degrees, 20 honours degrees, 1 masters degree, and 10 postgraduate qualifications.

We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Your hard work, commitment, and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and we celebrate your achievement with great joy.

Congratulations to: Live Antoni, Sive Baba, Sinovuyo Bacela, Sinoxolo Bacela, Siphamandla Balakisi, Anesipho Bobo, Zonke Bobotyane, Yonelani Chaso, Motse Deu, Mihlali Dyeshana, Amanda Dyonashe, Sovinia Fama, Crystal Felix, Okuhle Fobe, Likho Funani, Sesethu Gaga, Siyamthanda Gcizingana, Chwayita Gula, Wanganathi Gxogxo, Inathi Habane, Yomelela Hohwana, Phelela Hulu, Qhamani Jacobs, Zubenathi Kolisi, Siyamthanda Kondile, Nobuhle Kosani, Tshireletso Leteba, Asisipho Lukwe, Athenkosi Lukwe, Olwethu Maaotla, Sakhumzi Maholo, Mbalentle Majeke, Sonqoba Makalima, Lisakhanya Mangesi, Lukhanyo Manyati, Hlomla Mayekiso, Sinovuyo Mbali, Limpho Mgxoteni, Anganathi Mkhathali, Siyamthanda Mondile, Siyanda Mpako, Liyema Mzizi, Olwethu Ncapayi, Masiwonge Ndwayana, Siphosethu Nela, Sihle Nguta, Avuzwa Njokweni, Lindisipho Nombombo, Yonela Noqayi, Amahle Nosilela, Silindokuhle Nquma, Abenathi Nqweniso, Vuyo Ntamo, Mihlali Ntweni, Thapelo Nyedimane, Yolanda Papu, Longezo Phato, Mihle Saba, Sinobuhle Saki, Akhona Selani, Andisiwe Sikafu, Ibanathi Siko, Amahle Sitole, Esethu Siwa, Ovayo Siyali, Samkele Skhosana, Lihle Smith, Lisakhanya Sompani, Awonke Swartbooi, Lelethu Tom, Sonwabo Tshukulana, Ayathandwa Tsili, Sisipho Tyota, Olwethu Wessels, Athenkosi Yekani, Elihle Yose, Philisa Zani, Luthando Zingela, Luvuyo Zondani, and Lindokuhle Zono.

Well done, GMS 2026 graduates — you make us proud!

Send a message to learn more

17/03/2026

Help us celebrate the best of the best in 2026 by nominating a deserving Teacher of Excellence today!

Nominations for the Makhanda Teacher Awards 2026 are now open! 🥁

Nominations will be open from Monday 16th March to Friday 17th April 2026. This year we’ve made the process much simpler — it takes just a minute to nominate an outstanding educator.👩‍🏫

There are 8 award categories, and anyone can submit a nomination by completing the short online form. Please help us recognise the incredible educators in our community by sharing this link with your staff, parents and school networks:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDcHMN8LW37WfDAlYteAEWLHPNPA3r7Yk5ezlvnVD3z3Q2Rg/viewform

Let’s celebrate the teachers who make a difference every day.

07/03/2026

This week, we honoured two of the legends of the Nine-Tenths Mentoring Programme, namely Margie Keeton and Di Hornby. What an honour it has been two work alongside these two giants of social development, for over a decade.

26/02/2026

The StMary's Dcc has been a crucial and valued partner of our Whistle Stop.School since its inception in 2017 and generously open their doors to hosting and assisting with our Savvy Scientists program. We are grateful for our ongoing, impactful partnership.

20/02/2026

Amidst the latest water crisis in Makhanda, we should remind ourselves that Makana Municipality is failing the city in general and our schools in particular. We should also thank Rotary for having prevented the resultant mass closure of schools, thanks to their investment in water-related infrastructure.

By STAFF REPORTERMakhanda has emerged as the best-performing educational district in the Eastern Cape, and the Rotary Clubs of Grahamstown and Grahamstown Sunset are playing their part.  The two Rotary clubs are working with seven Makhanda no-fee primary and secondary schools to upgrade their kitch...

12/02/2026

GADRA is effectively assisting Prof Mabizela to make Rhodes University accessible to local students.

04/02/2026

Another amazing story of determination paying off!

For Abdulahil Fall, education isn't just a safety net—it’s a turning point. After serving as Deputy Head Boy in high school, Abdul faced the reality that his results didn't quite meet his ambitions.

Instead of giving up, he joined GADRA Education to bridge the gap. Today, he’s officially a Rhodes University student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences.

Abdul’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is about more than a title; it’s about the resolve to pivot when things don’t go as planned. 'It’s about bringing value and creating opportunities where they are needed most.

🔗 https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/abdul_gadra.html

03/02/2026

So proud of our GMS class of 2025 as 99 of our alumn join Sinemihlali at RU this year!

From changing high schools three times to holding her first Rhodes University student card, Sinemihlali Mpondwana’s journey is a testament to the power of grit and the right support system.

With the help of Gadra Education—a place she now calls her 'second home'—Sinemihlali overcame academic hurdles to claim her place at Rhodes. Now, she’s setting her sights on journalism and filmmaking to tell stories just like her own.

🔗 https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/sinemihlali_gadra.html

29/01/2026

1 Gowie Street received a spiritual blessing yesterday in preparation for welcoming the first GMS learners onto campus. Led by the Very Reverend Dean Mzinzisi Dyantyi, the ceremony was a powerful moment of prayer, hope, and new beginnings for our learners and community.