Blade Nzimande Pays Tribute to Dr Jennifer Glennie’s Legacy in Education

Minister Nzimande described Glennie’s passing as an “incalculable loss” to South Africa’s education and science community.

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Dr Jennifer Anne Glennie, a revered mathematician, educational visionary, and lifelong advocate for social justice. Glennie died in a tragic car accident on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, at the age of 75.

Born in Johannesburg, Glennie excelled academically from an early age, graduating with first-class Honours in pure mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1971. However, her influence extended far beyond the field of mathematics. She became a leading figure in South Africa’s education transformation movement and a driving force behind numerous progressive learning initiatives during and after apartheid.

A Pioneer in People’s Education and Anti-Apartheid Activism

Minister Nzimande highlighted Glennie’s remarkable contributions during the anti-apartheid struggle, describing her as a “distinguished and lifelong progressive educationalist” whose ideas and activism helped shape the future of South African education.

At a time when access to quality education for black South Africans was severely restricted, Glennie co-founded and supported several progressive education projects. Through Khanya College, widely known as the “people’s college”, she played an essential role in empowering young people from marginalised communities, helping them prepare for university studies and participate fully in a democratic society.

Her work at Khanya College also contributed to the intellectual foundation for the National Education Crisis Committee (NECC), established in 1986. The NECC became a key platform that promoted the concept of People’s Education for People’s Power, advocating for an inclusive, transformative education system aligned with democratic values.

Innovator in Distance Learning and Literacy

Glennie later became the founding Director of the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), where she championed the expansion of accessible, technology-supported learning models. Under her leadership, SAIDE launched the African Storybook initiative, a groundbreaking project promoting home-language literacy among African children. The initiative has since created thousands of openly licensed storybooks in multiple African languages, significantly expanding literacy resources across the continent.

Her influence extended into higher education governance through her roles with the Council for Higher Education (CHE), the University of South Africa (UNISA), and Sol Plaatje University, where she worked tirelessly to strengthen policy frameworks, improve institutional accountability, and advance transformation.

Recognised Globally for Her Contributions

In honour of her decades-long commitment to education and social justice, Glennie received numerous national and international awards, including:

• Fellow of the International Commonwealth of Learning

• University of Pretoria Chancellor’s Medal for her contributions to education

• African Council for Distance Education Legacy Service Award for her exceptional work in open distance and e-learning

Nzimande emphasised that her work advanced critical areas such as mother-tongue education, technology-enhanced learning, reading for meaning, and the broader decolonisation of knowledge systems. Her scholarly activism intersected powerfully with grassroots movements, reinforcing the education vision pursued by the liberation movement.

A National Loss for Education and Science

Minister Nzimande described Glennie’s passing as an “incalculable loss” to South Africa’s education and science community. He praised her as an “irrepressible activist and ethical public servant” whose wisdom, compassion, and commitment helped build a society where every citizen could reach their full potential.

“Dr Glennie dedicated her life to the building of a humane and just world,” Nzimande said. “Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of educators, researchers, and activists who share her belief in the transformative power of education.”