Pictured here: Cliff Kearabilwe (Head student); Neill Strydom (Health and Culture rep) Phumudzo Mandiwana (former House Com and sub-warden) with Mzoxolo Sitoto

Aspiring Humanities student, Mzoxolo Sitoto, experienced a taste of student life when he networked with students and SRC representatives at a function held at Leo Marquard residence recently.

The annual High Table function, held on the 19th of May 2011, is attended by current and former Leo Marrquard Hall residents as well as invited guests from within UCT leadership. The objective is to facilitate networking between alumni and current students as well as to motivate and inspire "Marquardians".

This year, Mzoxolo, a student at Intsebenziswano High School in Phillipi, was a guest of Humanities Student Recruitment Officer, Khwezi Bonani who wanted the Khayelitsha learner to experience student life at UCT.

"My interaction with Mzoxolo started when he contacted me earlier this year with questions about courses on offer at UCT. We have maintained regular contact ever since and I was glad to have this opportunity to expose him to life here on campus" said Bonani.

The number of school learners from disadvantaged communities who enter Tertiary institutions continues to be lower than expectated. In addition, many students from these communities simply cannot envisage themselves at university based partly on misperceptions about the institution(s). That is why outreach programmes fulfil a critical role in student recruitment initiatives. As Khwezi puts it: "Our aim in Humanities is to extend our academic offering to all students regardless of their economic background because we believe that with a little motivation and inspiration any child should be able to access tertiary education."

Mzoxolo says that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and "cannot wait to get into UCT." Having already achieved a 72% grade average in March, this learner is well on the way to joining the student body in 2013.