South Africa, Higher Education and Diversity in

South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994 called for a radical transformation of its educational institutions. Transformation in this context extended beyond the notion of diversity as increasing enrollment and employment among underrepresented groups to creating institutions that foster success for all students and staff regardless of race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, or language. The government mandate, therefore, was that institutions of higher education not only change to reflect the diversity of South Africa's population but also reevaluate policies, practices, and their institutional cultures to afford historically disadvantaged groups equitable access to educational and professional opportunities. This entry describes the historical background of higher education in South Africa, discusses institutional responses to the government's diversity mandate, and outlines the challenges to achieving the broad ...