South Africa has made substantial strides over the past three decades, investing significantly in expanding access to basic education, boosting participation in higher education, and fortifying pathways to employment and economic inclusion. These extensive efforts have been central to the nation's post-apartheid development agenda, aiming to create a more equitable and opportunity-rich society for all its citizens. In 2025, Tshikululu Social Investments published 'Beyond Access: Reimagining Student Success as a Systemic Imperative', a report examining these ongoing efforts and the challenges that persist within the educational landscape. The report showed the critical need to move beyond mere enrollment figures and delve into the deeper, often unseen, factors that influence a student's ability to thrive and complete their academic journey.
The Scale of the Challenge
Despite the significant investments and policy interventions aimed at broadening educational access, the Council on Higher Education's most recent cohort data indicates a significant challenge in student completion rates within South Africa's higher education system. According to the data, a concerning 38% of students who enrolled in three-year degree programs at South African public and private institutions in 2016 had not successfully graduated within five years. This statistic notes the persistent hurdles students face in completing their academic journeys, suggesting that access alone is insufficient to guarantee success. The lingering impact of these non-completion rates extends beyond individual students, affecting the overall productivity and skilled workforce development key for the nation's economic growth and social progress. It points to systemic issues that demand a more nuanced and full approach from institutions, policymakers, and funding bodies alike.
A New Lens on Student Wellbeing
In an effort to unpack these complex issues, a new paper titled 'Addiction, Wellbeing and Hidden Risks in Higher Education', developed collaboratively by Tshikululu Social Investments and Thrive Student Living, uses addiction as a lens to explore broader challenges facing the higher education sector. This innovative approach seeks to illuminate often-overlooked aspects of student life that profoundly impact academic outcomes. The paper argues emphatically that addiction should be foregrounded as a critical issue affecting many outcomes institutions, funders, and policymakers seek to improve. It asserts that addressing addiction is not merely a welfare concern but a strategic imperative for enhancing student retention, academic performance, and overall well-being. This approach repositions addiction not merely as an individual problem, a personal failing, but as a significant, often hidden, barrier to student success across South Africa's educational landscape. By examining the widespread impact of addiction, the paper seeks to illuminate underlying systemic issues that contribute to student struggles beyond traditional academic or financial factors, urging a re-evaluation of current support frameworks. The paper will be available on www.tshikululu.org.za later this month, offering valuable insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
Rethinking Systemic Support
South African educational institutions and funding bodies are increasingly acknowledging the complex, often invisible, challenges that affect student success beyond traditional academic or financial hurdles. This growing recognition signals a key shift in perspective, moving towards a more holistic understanding of student needs. Tshikululu Social Investments, a prominent social investment firm, notes that success is not merely about access but requires a deeper understanding of student well-being and the myriad factors that influence it. The Council on Higher Education's data on student completion rates shows the urgency of addressing these systemic issues with innovative and effective solutions. Organizations like Thrive Student Living are also contributing significantly to this discourse, advocating for full support systems that consider the multifaceted lives of students, including their mental health, social integration, and personal challenges. This evolving perspective suggests a broader re-evaluation of how support is conceptualized and delivered within the higher education landscape across South Africa, aiming to create environments where all students, regardless of their background, can truly flourish.
