In South Africa, there is an urgent need for a new model of relevant education…  

Three Needs and Three Solutions

The nation’s current economic instability is mostly solved by post-secondary education and training.

In South Africa today, around 75% of the current unemployment rate of 35% is made up of youth between ages 18-35. As a result, millions of young people are unemployed, including those who have recently graduated high school or never graduated at all. Many live in dire economic circumstances, even on the streets, with no employment or college opportunities available to them.

South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training identifies post-secondary education and technical training as a critical part of South Africa’s education ecosystem and as urgently crucial to the nation’s economic well-being. Only up-to-date post-secondary education will provide real opportunities for bright but financially-disadvantaged youth to fulfill their goals and dreams. 

Inaccessibility is solved by community-based education.

Many young people want desperately to participate in post-secondary education but are unable to meet the academic and other requirements or to afford the transportation, housing and other costs of living—even when the education is free for them. To compound the issue, many are responsible for the care of siblings or are themselves young parents. “On-demand” local community-based education is required.

Unpreparedness is solved by holistic education.

Business employers, job training programs and higher education institutions often make a large investment in hiring, training and educating young people only to have them leave prior to completion due to lack of preparedness for work and lack of self-confidence. Tools for inner growth that eliminate stress and fear, and develop the inner qualities of the student to improve behaviour and confidence are as significant as focused training.

Our Holistic Curriculum

The Communiversity’s 8-course College Prep and Pre-Professional Program supports stress management, emotional intelligence and participatory learning along with academics. All students take all eight courses.

4 Months

8 Courses

English Communication Developing proficiency and accuracy in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with a focus on English at work and in other real-life situations.Mathematics Literacy Preparing students for college programs such as finance, business and IT while helping them understand math principles and applications in everyday experiences. Introduction to Engineering Science Discovering the underlying scientific foundations for college courses and careers in electrical, mechanical, solar, civil and building engineering. Computer Skills Instruction in computer basics and in Computer Application Technology (CAT), including introduction to coding – to prepare student skills for every field.
Introduction to Finance & Economics Understanding and experiencing the relationship of finance and economics to your own life, your family, your community and your nation. Debating Learning how to express your viewpoints and communicate with others and how to experience every side of any discussion. Cognitive Development & Stress Management through Transcendental Meditation (TM) or the Quiet Time programCareer Guidance & Placement Choosing the right college and career path based both on your personal goals and assessments of your talents and skills, along with college application assistance. 

Our Methods

  • Requiring classrooms from each community served, we eliminate the major costs in education—buildings, housing, and transportation. 
  • Students enjoy local community access without having to leave their families. 
  • We are privately funded. Each student receives a full tuition bursary/scholarship.
  • Funds are used to hire expert facilitators both within and outside the community, to support staff and to share in the costs of internet, utilities and security. 
  • Local college teachers and guest lecturers, as well as international experts are invited to introduce our students to their fields of study. 
  • Students create a Code of Conduct that governs the behavior of all the participants in their class.
  • Psychologists and social workers can be called upon when needed.
  • Students sign commitment forms to honour their participation.
  • Students enjoy a graduation ceremony with keynote and alumni speakers and they invite their families and friends.
  • To honor their individual achievements, students receive prizes for character and personal growth, as well as academics.
  • We have partnerships with a number of local colleges who are eager to offer entry and select candidates directly from our graduates, knowing they have been vetted for four months and have succeeded in our intensive program.

Accolades

“I absolutely boast about the Communiversity graduates I now have the pleasure of calling my employees. I get goosebumps when I talk about these humble, respectful, responsible, amazing people I have had the joy of employing.”

Michelle King

NATIONAL MARKETING DIRECTOR, CINNABON SOUTH AFRICA

We are extremely impressed with the way the students conducted themselves and the commitment they showed.  We thank you, Communiversity, for recruiting them and for encouraging and supporting them along the way.

Elena Meyer

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, SOUTH AFRICA, JA WORLDWIDE 

The David Lynch Foundation honoured the Communiversity with its first global “EnterPrize.”

“The Communiversity of South Africa has proven to be a highly beneficial, time-efficient and low-cost model with strong outcomes that we believe could be used successfully throughout the world. The David Lynch Foundation is delighted and proud to honor their remarkable achievement – the creation of a ‘bridge to somewhere’ for disadvantaged, at-risk youth.” 

Bob Roth

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION, NEW YORK

The Communiversity received a special award from the South African Department of Social Development through Impumelelo, to celebrate innovation in social development projects.