New centre aims to revolutionise rural and inclusive education
Representatives from the Faculty of Education with the Chief of the !Xun and the Khwe at the !Xunkhwesa Combined School in Platfontein. Back row from left to right is Dr K Teise, Prof. D Hlalele and Dr T Mpisi. Front row from left to right: Ms M Newman, Ms M Mangumbu, Chief A Sabao (!Xun leader), Chief J Matamu (Khwe leader), Prof. B Diale, and Ms N Mbangu.
Image: Supplied / SPU
The Centre for the Advancement of Rural and Inclusive Education and Research (CARIER) was launched at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) on Wednesday, September 17 2025.
CARIER is a research centre that focuses on redefining rural and inclusive education by placing lived experiences at the centre of impactful scholarship. Its mission is to tackle context-specific challenges in meaningful ways, avoiding oversimplified representations and instead promoting nuanced understandings of rural and indigenous contexts.
The launch event was filled with vibrant energy as Guests were entertained by the !XunKhwesa School Choir, who performed through song and dance in combined indigenous languages, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
At the launch, Prof Boitumelo Diale, Dean of the Faculty of Education, described CARIER as "a beacon of light that will illuminate the educational landscape of the Northern Cape and beyond."
She emphasised that quality education is not a privilege for the few, but a right that belongs to all, and committed the Faculty to knowledge rooted in cultural sensitivity, language diversity, and equity.
Prof Anthony Brown from UNISA's School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies delivered a powerful keynote address, calling for a radical rethinking of urban-centric models and urging CARIER to act as a site of "pedagogical rebellion" that dismantles hierarchies and proves that diversity is a source of strength.
Dr Kevin Teise, the Centre's Acting Director, outlined CARIER's mission and emphasised the importance of context-specific research, while Mr Sandile Beuzana, Chief Director of School Management, Administration and Support for the Northern Cape Department of Education, drew on Nelson Mandela's words that "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," affirming that CARIER sharpens this weapon.
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Debra Meyer, outlined clear criteria for CARIER's success, including quality publications, postgraduate achievements, and external fundraising. She emphasised that CARIER's research must go beyond academic outputs to influence policy change and directly benefit communities.
The launch of CARIER marks a significant milestone for SPU, affirming its commitment to advancing democratic practice and social justice in society. As Prof Jesmael Mataga, Acting Director for Research, reflected, "Only the educated are free," underscoring that education is the path to freedom and transformation.
CARIER now carries the responsibility of ensuring that research transforms lives, dismantles inequalities, and builds a society where justice, dignity, and opportunity are shared by all.