![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/JAA-2024-banner-ad-728x90-revolving-151124-01.gif)
Featured Item
![](https://www.sajr.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-University-of-the-Witwatersrand-is-a-preferential-tertiary-institution-for-students.png)
Wits still a favourite, while others gap it
The post-matric trend this year is away from gap-year travel or work experience, and more matriculants are moving straight into furthering their academic studies at university and private colleges around South Africa, say some Jewish schools in Johannesburg.
Most are choosing to stay in Johannesburg, with a preference for the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), but others are choosing to move to Cape Town. While those moving to the sea are still favouring the University of Cape Town (UCT), there has been a marked increase in choosing Stellenbosch University as their chosen tertiary educational institution.
“Wits is a popular choice because it’s a world-class institution. Its courses are almost second to none in terms of academic rigour,” said Jodi Starkowitz, King David Linksfield’s (KDL’s) head of marketing. “A lot of students go there not only because of that, but because it’s easy to access, with the campus being a stone’s throw away. Similarly, Wits appeals to many of our students who aren’t ready to leave home just yet.”
The schools say that the class of 2024 is mainly spread out among five universities: Wits; UCT; Stellenbosch; the University of Johannesburg; and the University of Pretoria.
The degrees they are enrolling in show a wide range of interests, with some studying theatre and performance, fine arts, law, psychology, and social work, to those who are studying actuarial science, medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, business science, and everything in between.
Wits is undoubtedly the most popular university for those from Johannesburg, which some say is because it gives our youngsters the comforts of home while asserting their independence.
At KDL, 27 students out of the 81 matriculated are attending Wits, each studying something that appeals to them.
Gita Lipschitz, the senior social worker at King David Victory Park (KDVP), agreed that though Wits is the first choice for most students, in the past three to four years, there has been increased interest in the University of Pretoria.
“The Gautrain has helped this, as well as students wanting to have a ‘res’ experience without being too far from home,” she says.
However, with the pull to Cape Town, five students from KDL are attending UCT, while two are going to Stellenbosch.
Similarly, while KDVP didn’t give any concrete numbers on where students were going, it agreed that there was still a pull to go to UCT, but many more were heading for “Stellies”, which is quickly asserting itself as a popular choice.
“In the past one to two years, I’ve noticed a significant increase in students going to Stellenbosch. This may be because it’s seen as a ‘safer’ option for Jewish students wanting the experience of going to university in the Cape,” says Lipschitz, “I arrange visits from tertiary institutions for the Grade 11 students as part of preparing them for the world of work. This year, for the first time, I had a specific request to invite a representative from Stellenbosch.”
Similarly, both King David schools have witnessed increased interest in private universities. Lipschitz and Starkowitz said there had been a growing pull to Varsity College, Vega, and others. In fact, according to Starkowitz, more students from KDL are attending private universities than those going to UCT and Cape universities.
“Many students want to go to these smaller private universities because though they get amazing results, they don’t get the necessary points to get into the degree they want to study at Wits, and they will be able to get as good a degree at Varsity College or Vega,” said Starkowitz. “For example, at Varsity College you can get accepted into a Bachelor of Commerce degree with mathematics literacy for matric.”
Both Starkowitz and Lipschitz agree that a private university appeals to a lot of students because of the environment in these universities. Smaller classes create a softer landing for those living in the school environment. Said Lipschitz, “Varsity College appeals because it caters to students who prefer smaller classes and individual attention.
“It makes the jump easier for these kids,” she said. “There are fewer growing pains for those who go to a Varsity College or Vega because they are smaller campuses with fewer people and are less overwhelming overall.”
However, 22 students from KDL aim to go on gap-year programmes in Israel. “It gives the students the break they deserve after completing such a difficult year,” said Starkowitz. “They get to have fun in Israel and find their independence.”
A smaller portion of students from both schools are doing a gap year in other countries, and will work as an au pair overseas before they re-enter the world of academia. Some will do volunteer work with human rights, environmental protection, and the Community Security Organisation in Johannesburg, or they are going to work part-time and do short courses during their gap year.
Similarly, there are a few who have decided to leave South Africa and study overseas, whether that be in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Israel.
The majority of Yeshiva College matriculants, however, are intent on spending 2025 in gap-year programmes in Israel, where they will be able to decide what they want to do afterwards. Principal Rob Long says many students from the class of 2024 are going on Midreshet Torah Va’Avodah, a gap year in Israel with Bnei Akiva. However, those not going on gap years plan to further their studies at Wits.
![](https://www.sajr.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/SA-Jewish-Report-Logo-552-x-110-Logo-1.png)