Image: Shelley Christians/UWCIt was an afternoon of celebration, gratitude, awards and good food that highlighted the University of the Western Cape (UWC) as the first choice for the school-leavers of many of the schools in the Western Cape.
The annual Principal’s Luncheon on 4 December 2025, hosted at UWC’s Main Campus by the University’s Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU), recognised the top 50 feeder schools to the University and its collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) and corporate partners. The top feeder schools range from Westerford High School in Newlands to Hottentots-Holland High School in Somerset West, and all others in between.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards were received by principals from feeder schools.
Guest Nkosazana Ralarala Madinga of Sanlam said she was so moved when she brought her son to a UWC Open Day - an annual showcase of campus life and the work of its seven faculties - that she was instrumental in having her employer partner with the University.
“As an employer, Sanlam depends on the steady pipeline of capable graduates who would become Sanlam's financial advisors, Sanlam's analysts, Sanlam specialists in any field, and marketers, and future leaders in this country,” she said.
“UWC prepares exactly these professionals for us as an institution. Many of our employees, partners, clients and community relationships can trace their journeys back to the schools represented here today. In that sense, UWC not only produces graduates; it helps build the society that Sanlam serves.”
Image: Shelley Christians/UWCMadinga said the partnership is practical and results driven, with the launch of initiatives between UWC and Sanlam like the Entrepreneurship Trading incubator in Bellville.
“This project provides township entrepreneurship with trading space, mentorship and market access. Supporting students and small businesses in this way directly contributes to South Africa’s long term growth. With that being said, I am thrilled to announce that Sanlam is proud to sponsor the registration fees for three deserving students from these schools that are feeding to this university,” she announced, before handing over a cheque to SEMU Director, Dr Laurence Corner.
“This support, we hope, will help ease the financial burden and open new doors for these students to pursue their goals with confidence.”
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Balfour, said the University is not only a leader in transformation, but also in research, is nationally among the top seven of South Africa's institutions, and is anchored across multiple campuses across Cape Town to be an agent of social change in communities.
“At UWC, you'll be happy to note that the undergraduate success rate of our students rose to 85.7% this past year. And we produce nearly 4 000 undergraduate leaders who are successful in the completion of their studies. So this is a university where not only the marginal and the unseen in our society have a fantastic opportunity to grow and to learn, but where the leaders of tomorrow are produced, where the constitution of our wonderful country was written, where great figures like Dullah Omar and Robert Sobukwe, after whom the street is named, have frequented these premises, have led among us, have been among us, have inspired past generations of young people and new generations that will come,” he said.
“UWC is that place where these futures are produced. And when I say come to the campus, bring your children to the campus, it is with that invitation to dream with us about what a South Africa can mean, not in 10 years' time, not in 20 years' time, but in the tomorrow, in the day after tomorrow, when you help partner with us in education.”
Image: Shelley Christians/UWCBrent Walters, Head of the WCED, told the principals: “You are the people who have, in your hands, a power to shape the future. Use that power wisely. Thank you for your role in this very important partnership.
“These collaborations have tangible impacts, from nutrition that improves the attendance and learning, to stem readiness that opens doors to high productivity sectors, and they also model inclusive community-anchored approaches that align for the philosophy of UWC.”
Dr Corner expressed his appreciation of the continued support and partnership from all our feeder schools and acknowledged the achievement of the top feeder schools honoured at the event.
“We must continue to partner as we support the development of young people in our communities and country,” he said.
Dr Corner offered an open invitation to our feeder schools to visit the UWC campus and “to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of spaces such as our unique nature reserve”.
UWC, he said, is truly a place where students and educators can find academic excellence and inclusion. The feeling of “being at home and welcome” is truly unique at UWC.
The winners of the awards at the luncheon were:
BRONZE AWARDS:
Soneike High School
Stellenberg High School
Pelican Park High School
Oaklands High School
Excelsior Secondary School
Sophumelela Secondary School
Islamia College
Belhar High School
Westerford High School
Abbott's College Rondebosch
Bergvliet High School
Thandokhulu Secondary School
Siphamandla Secondary School
Centre Of Science And Technology
York High School
President High School
Manzomthombo Secondary School
J.G. Meiring High School
Livingstone High School
Wynberg Boys' High School
SILVER AWARDS:
Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School
Claremont High School
Parel Vallei High School
Milnerton High School
Isilimela Secondary School
Alexander Sinton High School
Fairmont High School
Protea Heights Academy
Rustenburg Girls' High School
Sinenjongo High School
Groote Schuur High School
Worcester Gymnasium
Elsiesrivier Secondary School
Edgemead High School
Tygerberg High School
Malibu High School
Wynberg Girls' High School
Brackenfell High School
Hottentots-Holland High School
Rylands High School
GOLD AWARDS:
Pinelands High School
Mondale High School
Bernadino Heights High School
Norman Henshilwood High School
South Peninsula High School
Parow High School
Spine Road High School
Fairbairn College
De Kuilen High School
The Settlers High School
