How Unisa’s Ekurhuleni Centre is building a stronger student community

For many Unisa students, the university experience happens through a screen, a study guide and long hours of independent learning. But at the Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre, distance education is taking on a more connected and interactive dimension.

Under the leadership of Regional Service Centre Manager Pat Lethole, the Centre is creating opportunities for students to participate in leadership, arts and culture, sport, wellness and other activities that complement their academic journey. The initiatives are helping students build friendships, develop new skills and experience a stronger sense of belonging while studying through Comprehensive Open Distance e-Learning (CODeL).

Distance learning offers students the flexibility to study around work, family and other responsibilities. However, that flexibility can sometimes come with limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction and participation in university life.

The Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre is responding to this challenge by creating spaces where students can connect, develop their talents and grow beyond their academic programmes.

At the centre of this work is the UNISAN Creative Committee (UCC), which provides students with opportunities to participate in leadership, arts and culture, dance and song, drama, sport and wellness programmes.

The initiative is designed to support the development of students’ social, emotional, leadership and professional skills alongside their academic knowledge.

The benefits of this approach are already being seen among participating students. Some students involved in the Centre’s activities have achieved distinctions in their modules, crediting their academic success not only to their own dedication but also to the supportive environment created at the Centre.

Extended study hours have also given students access to a safe and conducive space where they can study with their peers, prepare for assessments and access additional academic support.

For Lethole, student development extends beyond academic achievement.

“We encourage students to participate in structures such as the Unisan Creative Committee and other leadership initiatives where they gain valuable experience beyond the classroom. Our vision is to expose students to multidisciplinary collaborations and international opportunities that broaden their horizons and prepare them for the world of work.”

This approach recognises that university prepares students for more than examinations and qualifications. Leadership, communication, teamwork, creativity and the ability to work with others are equally important as students prepare to enter the workplace and contribute to society.

For students involved in the UCC, these activities have become an important part of their university experience.

Ebenezer Zumani, President of the UCC Drama Division, said the programme gives students a safe and inclusive environment in which to express themselves and develop their confidence.

“The Drama Division brings together students through poetry, theatre and drama. It provides a welcoming space where we can express ourselves, build confidence and develop communication and leadership skills.”

For Lihle Soyizwaphi, President of the UCC Dance and Song Division, creative activities provide students with opportunities to express themselves while developing skills that can be useful beyond university.

“Dance and music allow students to express themselves in positive ways. Through our new music production initiative, we are also creating opportunities for students to develop skills that may benefit them beyond university.”

Sport is also helping students form connections.

Bafana Mashiane, President of the UCC Sports and Wellness Division, said sporting activities create opportunities for students to interact while promoting healthy lifestyles.

“Sport brings students together. It helps us build friendships, develop teamwork and create a sense of community while promoting healthy lifestyles and student well-being.”

Acting Regional Director for Unisa Gauteng Region, Dr Erin Naudé, congratulated Lethole and the Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre team for their commitment to student success.

“The Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre is an excellent example of student-centred support in action. Through extended study hours, academic support and opportunities for leadership and personal development, the Unisa Gauteng Region is ensuring that distance education students enjoy a holistic university experience and are empowered to excel academically and personally.”

The Centre’s work also extends beyond the student community.

In August, it will host cooking and baking workshops in collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES). The workshops are aimed at equipping community members with practical skills that could support entrepreneurship and economic participation.

Through a collaboration with the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), the Centre is also offering End-User Computing training to members of the Daveyton community. The programme provides participants with essential digital skills that can help them navigate an increasingly technology-driven workplace.

These initiatives demonstrate how a Regional Service Centre can serve as more than a place where students access university services. It can become a meeting point for learning, creativity, skills development and community engagement.

The Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre’s approach reflects Unisa’s broader commitment to ensuring that distance education remains a holistic university experience.

For students, opportunities to participate in leadership, sport, creative activities and wellness programmes can provide a much-needed connection to the university community. For the surrounding community, skills-development initiatives create opportunities to learn and improve their prospects.

Ultimately, distance education is about more than providing access to qualifications. It is also about creating opportunities for people to connect, develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

As Unisa continues to strengthen student-centred initiatives across its Regional Service Centres, the Ekurhuleni Regional Service Centre offers a compelling example of what is possible when academic learning is complemented by opportunities to lead, create, collaborate and belong.

* By Thembeka Mpapama, Manager: Communication and Marketing, Gauteng Region, and Ebenezer Zumani, President of the UCC Drama Division, Unisa