Uplifting the Xhora Mouth community has always been at the heart of Bulungula Incubator’s work. When our organisation started operating in 2007, most people in our community did not have access to quality educational opportunities. As a holdover of apartheid-era education policies, there was no high school in the area, and families could not afford to send their children to high schools far away from home. As a result, 95% of people in our community dropped out of school after Grade 9.
In response to these challenges, Bulungula Incubator, along with our community, worked to create new quality educational opportunities, including the establishment of Bulungula College — the first and only high school in our community. Opened in 2019 with its first Grade 10 class, Bulungula College was built to provide local learners with access to quality secondary education, close to home. Since then, 187 learners have graduated from Bulungula College across our five matric classes. Most of our learners are the first in their families to complete high school, and some have now gone on to further their education.
Today, 46 Bulungula College alumni are studying at universities and colleges across South Africa. This year, we are celebrating another important milestone: our first BC alumni have successfully completed their tertiary qualifications. We are thrilled to congratulate and introduce you to some of Bulungula College’s first-ever tertiary graduates!
Siziphiwe Malima – University of Johannesburg | Bulungula College ’22
My name is Siziphiwe Malima, from Xhora Mouth, KwaTshezi. I am a Bulungula College alumna who completed her matric in 2022. For my undergraduate studies I did a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities at the University of Johannesburg, majoring in Language Practice and Linguistics. I graduated in April 2025, and it felt like an enormous milestone. I was so grateful because it is something I had been working towards for years. It was a mix of relief, pride, and disbelief – finally holding the degree after all the late nights and challenges.
I’m the first person in my family to graduate from university. It means a lot to me because I’m the first to reach this level of education, and I hope it opens doors for my siblings and others back home. Bulungula College prepared me in so many ways. It built my confidence in speaking and writing English, taught me how to manage my time and work independently, and gave me a strong academic foundation. The small classes and supportive teachers also made me comfortable asking questions and thinking critically, which are the skills I use every day at university.
Currently, I’m pursuing my BA Honours in Applied Linguistics at the University of Johannesburg. I study towards being a copy editor, copywriter, an English-Xhosa interpreter and translator. Most people in my community don’t understand English well, so as an English/IsiXhosa language practitioner, I intend to give back to the community by translating written and verbal texts (so they can access information and opportunities in IsiXhosa), do copyediting, copywriting, transcribe texts and edit documents.
Thuli Valelo – University of Fort Hare | Bulungula College ’22
My name is Thuli Valelo from Xhora Mouth, KwaTshezi village. I completed my high school at Bulungula College in 2022. I studied Human Movement Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences), at the University of Fort Hare. I graduated on the 8th of May 2026 and for me to graduate was a feeling of mixed emotions, that all the struggles I have been through, sleepless nights, and hard work have finally led to that moment. Also, it felt more of pride to me because I am the first person to graduate from tertiary education and that made it more meaningful.
Bulungula College played a huge role in preparing me for varsity, and if it were not it, I would not be where I am today. BC taught me discipline, time management, knowing yourself, what you want in life, where you are from and how to stay focused when things get tough and all these are the key weapons that every student needs to know before going for
tertiary education. Now that I have graduated, I want to turn the theory into real impact. I am willing to do hands-on work by working with athletes of different ages as a sports assistant or coach to help athletes perform better.
Siphe Mevana – King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College | Bulungula College ’22
My name is Siphe Mevana from Nqileni village. I completed high school at Bulungula College in 2022. I studied Electrical Engineering at King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College, Mthatha Campus. I obtained it in December 2025, I felt happy; I was proud. It felt like proof of hard work. I am the first in my family to finish my studies at Tertiary education.
Bulungula college gives me more than academics. The small classes and dedicated teachers help me to build my studies. And the money for me to start tertiary is from my JSEP’s savings that I got because of Bulungula College.
Currently, I need in-service training to complete my Diploma. My goal is to get my trade test and become a qualified electrician then eventually to start my own electrical services business in Eastern Cape. I want to create jobs back home.
Odwa Bless – College of Cape | Bulungula College ’21
My name is Odwa Bless, I completed my high school at Bulungula College in 2021. I studied Business Management at College of Cape Town. I finished theory last year December 2025 now am doing in-service training. I started in February 2026 and I will complete my training next year in August, after that I will graduate and complete my diploma. Completing my studies felt amazing because I am about to reach my goals and my success.
I am the first person in my family to complete high school and go to tertiary. Bulungula College shaped my academic foundation, time management skills, study skills, independence, team building and self management. After I completed my diploma my plans is to go to university and further my studies.
Aqhamile Gwadiso – College of Cape Town | Bulungula College ’21
“My name is Aqhamile Gwadiso. After completing my high school at Bulungula College, I studied Business management at the College of Cape Town. I completed it in December 2025. My final exams were a bit challenging for me but I managed to pass all my modules with good results.
I’m the first person to complete tertiary education in my family. Doing Business Studies as a subject at Bulungula College has given me a strong foundation and shaped me for my Business Management Diploma. My plan now is to get an internship or inservice training that will prepare me to get my Diploma.”
As we congratulate these Bulungula College alumni graduates, we hope their achievements will inspire current and future generations of young people across our villages to pursue their own educational goals. This milestone is not just for the graduates but also for the Bulungula Incubator and the Xhora Mouth community as a whole. Just a few years after Bulungula College’s first matric class graduated, we are beginning to see the long-term impact of expanding access to quality education in our communities. We would not have achieved this goal if our purposeful community was not holding our hand throughout the journey. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones as Bulungula College alumni continue to pursue their studies, build their careers, and contribute to the future of our communities and South Africa.
This blog is particularly special because it was written by Siziphiwe Malima, one of the graduates featured above and a Bulungula College alumna. After completing her BA degree at the University of Johannesburg, Siziphiwe is currently pursuing an Honours degree in Applied Linguistics, and has started consulting work in copy-writing and translation services.
Seeing young people from our community who have grown up through our programmes contribute to our work is deeply rewarding and reflects one of Bulungula Incubator’s strategic goals of “growing our own timber“—to build local leadership for sustained rural development. As Siziphiwe builds her communications portfolio and gains experience as a writer, we are proud to support her learning journey and celebrate her contribution. Keep an eye out for more blogs published by Siziphiwe!