The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) JuniorTukkie programme is celebrating 20 years of supporting the development of high school learners, and helping young South Africans from across the country better prepare for the transition to university studies. 

JuniorTukkie, a flagship project of UP’s Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA), first took off in 2004, when UP staff helped two high school learners attend the International Space School in the USA. 

Since then, through in-person events and online initiatives aimed at supporting school exams, studies, life skills development and career choices, JuniorTukkie has opened a world of possibilities and opportunities to thousands of learners across South Africa.

“At their core our initiatives are motivated by our mission to holistically shape and support high school learners so they can excel and successfully navigate the academic and social challenges of student life,” says Sandisiwe Williams, DESA’s Senior Assistant Director: Institutional Recruitment.

Or as Dr Petrus Lombard, former Manager: Recruitment and JuniorTukkie Projects, liked to say during his 19 years of involvement: “We empower people.” 

Rirhandzu Golele, Manager: Undergraduate Recruitment and JuniorTukkie since 2023, says, “JuniorTukkie is a bridge that assists learners in the transition from high school to tertiary education. As such, it will in years to come continue to play a pivotal role in our education system, by continually evolving as we do our best to contribute to inclusive and equitable quality education.” 

Initiatives

The JuniorTukkie annual Grade 12 Winter School and Grade 11 Summer School brings selected learners to campus for preparatory “extra classes” in specific subjects. Scholars, parents and teachers are also supported through the Grade 11 Empowerment Conference in June, the Grade 12 Preparation Conference, and information sessions for Grade 9 learners on subject choice in July, and for Grade 11s in August. The annual Grade 11 Academic Achievers function in April is also a highlight, attracted more than a thousand of the brightest young minds in South Africa this year.

These in-person events are increasingly augmented by technological advances such as the free JuniorTukkie Online e-platform, which is made possible through funding from Investec and UNICEF and is available to all learners across South Africa, irrespective of whether they intend to study at UP or not.

First introduced in 2012, JuniorTukkie Online’s offering was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic to house information typically shared during the in-person Winter and Summer Schools. It also collates study tips, career advice and all documentation needed to apply for studies at UP.

Since 2021, more than 17 500 Grade 8 to 12 learners across the country have had easy access to 85GB (at last count) of supportive, curriculum-focused class notes, study material, videoed lectures and tests, created by two dozen experienced teachers.

Teachers have benefited, too: A Teachers’ Resource Library was launched on JT Online in March 2024, and the JT Online team provides memory sticks containing all resources to some schools with poor internet access.

Longstanding JuniorTukkie staff member Martie Killian counts the annual event for Life Orientation teachers among her many highlights. At these events, held since 2016, teachers are briefed on the latest information about admission requirements and new UP study programmes, which enhances their ability to provide up-to-date information to scholars in their care.

Formative years

JuniorTukkie was started in 2004 when Dr Karen Lazenby, then Director: Client Service Centre and her Deputy Director, Wallace Isaacs, wanted to try new ideas around student recruitment that would positively impact high school academic achievers readying themselves for university studies. Since starting off with its initial main focus on providing support to scholars from previously disadvantaged communities, JuniorTukkie has since grown into a forward-thinking, coordinated, streamlined, leading countrywide initiative.

“Adrie Krugel [former Junior Tukkie Co-ordinator] and Dr Pieter Clase [former Senior Assistant Director: Recruitment] were instrumental in those early years to help solidify and establish the vision,” says Isaacs, who is still involved as DESA Deputy Director.

“When we launched JuniorTukkie I didn't know precisely how it would work and if it would make a positive impact in the lives of those who became part of this wonderful initiative. It started with only two students, and today thousands have experienced the JuniorTukkie difference,” he adds.

The staff involved are heartened when they note the excellent annual throughput of JuniorTukkie participants who have gone on to study at UP. Over the past 20 years, 7 893 participants have obtained a bachelor’s degree, 2 496 an honours degree, 552 a master’s degree, and 25 have earned doctoral degrees. In 2024, 1 439 students who previously participated in JuniorTukkie are enrolled in bachelor’s programmes at UP. A further 284 are currently pursuing honours degrees, 286 are working towards a master’s, and 92 are engaged in doctoral studies.

Golele stresses that the successes gained are not DESA’s alone, but have been possible thanks to the project’s funders, and the involvement of many different spheres of the University, such as the Student Support Division and the social workers and psychologists who teach JuniorTukkie members about self-esteem, reaching for their dreams, leadership styles and more. 

Accolades

Staff have also over the years presented at international conferences, including in Prague, Ireland and Portugal, and have written about their experiences in journals and academic book chapters.

Isaacs says the awards that JuniorTukkie initiatives such as its magazine and recruitment events have received are a testament to the excellence of the people involved, “who are passionate about the youth”.

Ambassadors

Since 2011, UP students who have benefitted from JuniorTukkie-related initiatives have been able to join the JuniorTukkie Student Ambassadors Society (JTSAS). Their involvement provides members with an opportunity to ‘pay it forward’, and the opportunity to cultivate and improve their leadership skills.

“We have our own events and programmes to enrich our members' student life,” says current chair Mpiloenhle Radebe, a final-year BCom Financial Sciences student. These events include public speaking training, a session with UP’s Career Services, karaoke evenings and school visits. 

“We call JT our home away from home, because it really is,” Radebe says. “Creating a circle of people who can support you while at University is really crucial for the success of every student.”