University of South Africa, UNISA: The African Renaissance; Decolonial Thought Part 11

Do not Hate the Flight, Hate the altitude between us and them. They’re Not Like Us

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What do we actually know about University of South Africa and the extent of its influence? Beyond its scale as the largest distance-learning institutions on the continent, there is a broader question to be asked about its role in shaping the African Diaspora, expanding access to education, and contributing to innovation.

UNISA’s impact cannot be reduced to enrolment numbers alone; it sits at the intersection of accessibility and intellectual production, particularly for students across Africa and the diaspora who are excluded from traditional institutions. In that sense, its influence lies not just in certification, but in how it has enabled alternative pathways into higher education, knowledge systems, and professional mobility.

At the same time, if we are being precise, the question of innovation remains contested. To what extent is UNISA actively shaping new knowledge economies, and to what extent is it primarily facilitating access? That distinction matters. Influence, in this context, should be measured not only by reach, but by its contribution to research, critical thought, and the development of ideas that move beyond replication into genuine transformation.

“Your journey into the Unisa universe begins here with our virtual version of the physical exhibition on display in the Kgorong Building on Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus. This exhibition explores the more than 150 years of Unisa’s existence and celebrates our decades of service to students in South Africa and beyond. It charts Unisa’s evolution from a small, colonial examining body into one of the world’s largest open distance learning institutions — an exuberantly African global leader”. (Unisa website)

“Located at the southern tip of Africa, Unisa takes pride in its identity and has the interests of the continent at heart. Through its teaching and learning, relevant research and innovation, and community engagement initiatives, the university acknowledges its African roots and acts on the needs of South Africa and the continent.

Curricular change in the interests of asserting Africa-centred knowledge systems and research reforms are but some of the initiatives aimed at advancing transformation and the decolonisation of scholarship.

Unisa supports Africa’s socio-economic transformation and development goals in various ways. The university has collaboration agreements with the African Union Commission and the Africa Forum, an association of former heads of state and leaders on the African continent, among others. It also collaborates with various government departments to advance our national development goals.

Furthermore, Unisa houses several Africa-focused chairs, centres and programmes, all of which have the advancement and interest of the continent at heart.” (Unisa website).

Now that we understand the historical perspective and what it aligns to being proudly African let us be quiet for a moment of silence, not because of anyone dying, however this is a moment of evolution. The proud institution I come from as a graduate are shaping minds and research across the African continent at large. The only moment of silence are those that hate this institution because its proving many neo-liberal minds and coons a whole new direction on the advancement of education through innovation and practicality.

University of South Africa has announced the acquisition of a 20-hectare airport, positioning it as a dedicated training and research facility. This is not just a symbolic expansion; it introduces a practical layer to academic instruction, allowing students to apply their studies in real-world conditions and develop competencies that are in high demand — particularly within the aviation and engineering sectors. As highlighted by Boitumelo Senokoane, the initiative reflects a deliberate shift toward aligning academic output with industry needs.

This move signals a clear commitment to innovation, governance, and hands-on implementation. It reinforces UNISA’s attempt to move beyond purely theoretical delivery into a space where applied knowledge and technical proficiency are central. In doing so, the institution strengthens its position within higher education, not only as an access-driven university but as one that is actively responding to critical skills shortages.

At a structural level, this kind of investment amplifies UNISA’s institutional integrity — it suggests a model that is not stagnant, but adaptive, and one that is willing to engage directly with the demands of development by investing in high-skill, high-impact fields of expertise.

The facility serves as a multi-purpose alignment as stated below:

Aviation and Drone Training: Providing a live environment for flight operations, air traffic control, and aeronautical training.

Research & Innovation: Serving as a facility for research into aviation management, logistics, and emerging technologies.

Bridging Education Gaps: Addressing the lack of practical training in distance education by allowing students to apply studies in a real-world setting.

Infrastructure & Capacity Building: Strengthening local aviation skills capacity to reduce reliance on external training

Professor Puleng LenkaBula commended the university for its significant progress over the past five years, describing it as a period defined by resilience and forward-looking innovation, despite navigating an increasingly complex global and national environment.

What we can attest to is that Unisa over the past year as of 2025 have graduated 60 000 students, and produced more than 550 doctoral outputs. They’re not like Us.

In addition to the above, more than 10 800 graduates who could not graduate during the Covid-19 period were honoured at special graduation ceremonies, ensuring that their accomplishments are evident, projected, and recognised.

I say this again my brothers and sisters across the African Diaspora, it is time to take a flight and reach our God given purposes. If you are afraid of heights, change your altitude. #The African Dream

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Sources consulted:

[embed]Unisa makes history as the first African university to acquire an airport Unisa has made a significant leap in education by acquiring a 20-hectare airport, providing students with hands-on…iol.co.za

[embed]#theafricandream | Jared Mwanduka | 59 comments History Made: Africa's First University-Owned Airport Takes Off In a bold and defining moment for African education…www.linkedin.com

[embed]University of South Africa Project positions Unisa at the forefront of aviation-led developmentwww.unisa.ac.za

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