In all its cruelty, the worst of Apartheid policies was to keep the majority of South Africa’s people from access to equitable education

Apartheid has created a generational gap in our society.  Young students today do not have the family support system that, in the past, had been critical in passing on experience and knowledge. The classroom environment in the Cape Town townships is critically challenged. In these communities, a fifty to one pupil to teacher ratio is not uncommon. Grade twelve students pass matric exams at a rate of 84%, but only 27% go on to tertiary institutions. Only 13% go on to higher education from ex-black/coloured schools.

Graduation rates in public higher education institutions in the Western Cape average 20%. 

This situation resulted in our identifying the need for an intervention which resulted in the SHAWCO Saturday School Programme.