The University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) unwavering commitment to being an inclusive institution accessible to all was reaffirmed with the acquisition of two new disability-friendly buses.
The buses were unveiled on 5 March 2025 by Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu and Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, the Minister of Higher Education and Training.
These custom-designed Mercedes-Benz buses valued at R8.9 million are tailored to accommodate students with disabilities. They feature a hydraulic wheelchair lift, five wheelchair stations, and 40 seats. This improves accessibility and ease of movement on campuses and beyond.
This acquisition aligns with UFH’s institutional goal: to improve student life and enhance the student experience.
“We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all students can access every facility by providing enabling resources,” said Dr Nkabane. “We are pleased to witness this great initiative by the VC and the university.”
A Proud Moment for UFH
The launch event, organized by the Disability Unit (DU) under the Student Affairs Division, was met with excitement. Dean of Students, Lufuno Tshikhudo, expressed pride in the buses. “This is a proud day for our university. These buses were designed with our students in mind. We asked Mercedes-Benz for something special, and they delivered two incredible buses. They are unlike anything we’ve seen.”
Tshikhudo continued, “In my experience, I’ve never seen buses like these. They are like flying in an airplane, except closer to the ground. They have individual lights, air conditioning, and are built from scratch, not modified. These buses are designed to provide the best service to our students.”
He also noted that these buses will allow UFH students to participate in competitive sports nationwide. “Now, our students can travel across the country to compete. This opens many new opportunities for them. We must take care of the buses to continue offering top-tier service.”
Vision of Inclusivity in Action
DU Manager, Mr Lundi Makohliso, said the vision is to showcase that inclusivity is not just a word at UFH, it is an action. “We don’t just speak about it, we implement.
Yomelelani Mabaso, chairperson of UFH students with disabilities, shared his joy: “The last time I was this happy was when I got my graduation confirmation letter.”
Mabaso explained the significance of the buses. “It is degrading to witness students with disabilities being lifted onto buses that were not designed to accommodate them. Now, our dignity has been restored.”
“These buses have improved more than just our academic experience,” he said. “They’ve also enhanced our social life. We’ll now be able to attend sporting events, starting with the Varsity Shield game at Davidson Stadium tomorrow. This is true inclusivity in action.”