VIRTUAL TOUR | Explore the Rhodes University campus as we take you through 120 years of excellence

From its library of thousands of books, to the iconic St Peter’s Lawn that elevated teacher education in the Eastern Cape, walk through some of Rhodes University’s historical buildings and learn more about how it grew to become the home of academic excellence it is today.

Rhodes University, a beacon of higher education in South Africa, boasts a storied history marked by significant milestones and transformative moments. Founded by an Act of Parliament on 31 May 1904, the university has grown from humble beginnings in the heart of Makhanda in the Eastern Cape to become a leading institution known for its academic rigour and commitment to social justice.

Teacher education in Grahamstown began in 1894 with the establishment of St Peter’s School by Mother Cecile. This evolved into the Grahamstown Training College in 1903, which later became part of Rhodes University. The university's founding professors were colourful characters, with George Cory and Stanley Kidd playing pivotal roles in its early development.

The university began with just fifty students in 1904, with Arthur Mullins being the first to register. Initially housed in cramped quarters at St Andrew's, Rhodes University moved to the Drostdy building in 1905, a property it acquired from the British Government. The foundation stone for the central main block and tower was laid in 1936, and construction was completed in 1937.

By 1947, Rhodes University had opted to become an independent university, marking a significant step in its evolution. A pivotal moment in the university's history came in 1946 when Professor Hobart Houghton successfully advocated for the admission of Black students to courses not offered at the University of Fort Hare. This led to Martin Kaunda's acceptance, although he did not take up the offer. The first Black student to enrol was R.O.A. Mncadi for Physics Honours, followed by S.C. Naidoo and Herby Govinden in Chemistry Honours.

This move was a significant step towards inclusivity, albeit with restrictions that required Black students to live in "approved lodgings" off-campus.

A landmark achievement came on 2 February 1989, when the first email from South Africa was sent from Rhodes University's Cyber 825 computer. This breakthrough, led by a team of tech mavericks including Prof Pat Terry and Mike Lawrie, defied international sanctions and connected South Africa to the global community, and in this way can be argued to have played a notable role in the eventual end of apartheid.

The 1994 democratisation saw an explosion of anti-apartheid activities at Rhodes University, led by Black students and progressive white academic staff. This period focused on overthrowing apartheid manifestations in the educational system and engaging with alternative pedagogies.

In 2006, the university embarked on a programme aimed at addressing the university's colonial legacy, culminating in a public apology for its complicity with apartheid and a special apology for the exclusion of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko from residences in 1968. Rhodes University has also been a hub for the arts, with the Drama Department being one of the foremost institutions for theatre and performance studies in South Africa.

The university's commitment to the arts is further evidenced by the establishment of the Music and Fine Art departments in the 1920s and 1930s. The university's engagement with political activism has been significant, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, with student organisations pushing for greater political involvement. The admission of Black students in the 1970s began to shift the conservative culture on campus.

The university's library, which started with a single shelf in 1904, grew to over 12 500 volumes by 1930. The need for more space led to the establishment of the current library in 1985. Research at Rhodes University took time to flourish, with teaching taking precedence for many decades. However, the 1970s marked a shift towards valuing research, driven by the emerging "publish or perish" ethos.

Today, Rhodes University continues to embrace concepts linked to the Creative Economies, housing both the Drama Department and the Business School in the same building. The Business School, established in 2000, is part of the Makhanda Circle of Unity, a coalition driving socio-economic advancement in the city of Makhanda. Rhodes University's legacy is one of transformation, academic excellence, and a commitment to social justice, making it a pivotal institution in South Africa's educational landscape.

Watch our video at the top of this article to walk through some of Rhodes University’s historical buildings and how it grew to become the home of academic excellence it is today.