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Qhubeka On the Move
Before we can distribute bicycles, a lot of groundwork is needed. Recently, we travelled to Hanyani Secondary School in Limpopo to meet key stakeholders and lay the foundation for our programme with Absa Bank.
A Journey to Hanyani Secondary School
Qhubeka programmes take us to some of the most remote corners of South Africa, where we get to witness incredible landscapes and meet inspiring people. Each new school we work with has its own challenges, but also a community eager for change.
Before we can distribute bicycles, a lot of groundwork is needed. Recently, we travelled to Hanyani Secondary School in Limpopo to meet key stakeholders and lay the foundation for our programme with Absa Bank. Located in the far northeastern corner of South Africa, near the Zimbabwean border, Hanyani serves students from multiple villages—some of whom walk over 14 km to get to school.
Partnerships That Make an Impact
Introducing a bicycle programme is always easier when there’s a trusted partner on the ground. For this visit, we were hosted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ), whose UJ for Societal Impact project has been running initiatives in the area since 2014. Their work addresses critical infrastructure needs in the villages of Gwakwani, Matatani, and Mbodi—focusing on sustainable solutions for energy, water, connectivity, and education. Their deep knowledge of the region will be invaluable as we bring bicycles to students at Hanyani.
The team from UJ (Prof Johan Meyer, Ruan Swart and Mohamed Farhad) with Qhubeka founder, Anthony Fitzhenry
The Journey Through Limpopo
Traveling to remote schools often means navigating rugged terrain, where challenging roads force us to slow down and appreciate the journey itself. The landscapes of Limpopo are breathtaking—filled with Marula, Mopani, Red Bushwillow, and Jakkalsbessie trees. But nothing stands out quite like the iconic baobabs, the giants of the African bush.
One such tree is the Sagole Big Tree near Masisi, the largest known living baobab. Its massive trunk spans over 60 m², reaching nearly 20 meters high. Standing beneath it is a humbling experience—a reminder of the ancient resilience of this land.
Life Along the Way
We spent our nights at Tshipise, A Forever Resort, named after the natural hot springs that bubble up from the earth—a welcome retreat after a long journey and hard days in the field.
Natural hot spring at Tshipise, A Forever Resort
In this part of South Africa, donkey carts remain a common mode of transport, ferrying people and goods like firewood across the rugged landscape. It’s a simple yet vital mode of transport in remote villages, where modern infrastructure is limited.
On the eve of our journey home, we stood in an almost-dry riverbed, captivated by the annual migration of the brown-veined white butterflies. Every summer, millions of these delicate creatures set off from the arid Karoo and Kalahari, drifting north-eastward in great numbers.
By the next day, the river had come down in full force. Had we stayed a little longer, we might have found ourselves stranded. But then again, if we had to be stuck somewhere, this wouldn’t have been the worst place to wait it out.
Looking Ahead
This visit to Hanyani Secondary School was just the beginning. Later this year, with support from Absa Bank and UJ, we will return to distribute bicycles to students, helping them get to school faster, safer, and with more energy to learn. We can’t wait to see the impact unfold.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey.
Class of 2024
Qhubeka Class of 2024 - Summary of Results and Top Performing Schools
Background
South Africa’s public schools are classified into five quintile rankings, determined by the socio-economic conditions of the communities they serve. These rankings reflect factors such as income levels, literacy rates, and unemployment rates.
Quintile 1: Schools serving the poorest 20% of learners.
Quintile 5: Schools catering to the wealthiest 20%.
Schools in Quintiles 1, 2, and 3 are classified as no-fee schools, while those in Quintiles 4 and 5 are fee-paying schools.
At Qhubeka, we focus on Quintile 1–3 schools, working to bridge the gaps in access to essential resources and opportunities.
In the schools we support, over 50% of parents / guardians are unemployed and illiterate, meaning they have not completed Grade 7 or its equivalent Adult Education and Training qualification (ABET Level 3).
Understanding the System
While annual Grade 12 pass rates often dominate discussions, the broader educational landscape reveals deeper challenges.
According to the 2023 School Realities Report by the Department of Basic Education:
1,208,973 learners started Grade 1 in 2012.
By 2023, only 740,566 learners (61.3%) made it to Grade 12.
Of those, 572,983 learners (47.4%) passed.
This means 52.6% of learners (635,990) were lost in the education system over 12 years.
The highest dropout rates occur in the later grades, underscoring the critical need for targeted support during these years. To address this, Qhubeka distributes bicycles to learners in Grades 9–12, providing them with reliable transportation to stay in school and complete their education.
Ramotshere Moiloa & Moses Kotane SHIFT
North West Province
National pass rate: 87.3%
Provincial pass rate: 87.5%
Average pass rate for Qhubeka recipient schools: 91.2%
Top-Performing Qhubeka Recipient Schools:
Gobonewe Secondary School
Pass rate: 97.2%
Increase in pass rate from 2023: 21.5%
Number of distinctions: 15
Sefutswelo Secondary School
Pass rate: 97.0%
Increase in pass rate from 2023: 15.8%
Thebe-Ya-Tlhajwa Secondary School
Pass rate: 96.8%
Increase in pass rate from 2023: 18.3%
Number of distinctions: 30
Looking Ahead
These results are a testament to the impact of targeted interventions in under-resourced schools. The success of Qhubeka-supported schools, particularly in reducing dropout rates and improving pass rates, demonstrates the importance of continued investment in education for the most vulnerable learners.
Together, we’re not just improving pass rates; we’re creating opportunities and fostering hope for a brighter future.
Let’s keep moving forward, one pedal stroke at a time.
Distribution - 30 October 2024
New Bike Day at Mawewe High School thanks to the funds raised by the American all-volunteer group of individuals, Do Something Now.
Programme: Scholar Transport and Mechanic
School: Mawewe High School
Beneficiaries: 53 Grade 11 learners and one bicycle mechanic
Donor: Do Something Now
Location: Dumphries, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
New Bike Day at Mawewe High School thanks to the funds raised by the American all-volunteer group of individuals, Do Something Now.
This was our first distribution at the school and many learners learned to ride a bicycle for the first time.
We were joined at the bicycle distribution ceremony by a group of volunteers from Do Something Now who had the opportunity to hand over bicycles to the recipients.
