Rhodes University

Rhodes University anchors Makhanda's identity as an intellectual and cultural hub. The institution serves students from across South Africa and beyond, supporting not just academic learning but also residential life, research, sports, arts programming, and community engagement. The university functions as an economic driver, employer, and social institution—its calendar and priorities ripple through the city. For student residents, Rhodes provides infrastructure, libraries, laboratories, counselling services, and social spaces that extend far beyond classroom walls. The university's presence means Makhanda supports a complex ecosystem of student housing, campus services, and educational opportunity that defines the city's character and attracts families valuing access to tertiary education.