Eight Awarded Doctorates During 2002 Graduation

The University of Fort Hare 2002 Graduation stands out not because it is most recent, but because for the first time in the history of the institution, the university conferred a record eight honorary doctorates to individuals who have distinguished themselves in various areas of human endeavor. Close to 600 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded to proud recipients and hundreds of parents, relatives, friends, alumni and dignitaries descended on the University’s Sports Complex for the auspicious occasion. The guest of honor at this years glittering event was Minister of Communication Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri. The event saw the conferring of doctorate degrees on Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Nosimo Balindlela, former General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches and staunch women’s rights activist, Dr Brigalia Bam and prolific writer and teacher Mrs. Masechele Khaketla. The three had Doctor of Arts in Philosophy degrees conferred on them for their outstanding work in education and with women’s rights groups.

Industrial Development Corporation Chief Executive Khaya Ngqula, Department of Communication Director General (DG) and Co-Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Information Society, Dr Andile Ngcaba and Executive Director of Zonkizizwe Investment, Dr Kgoana Nkadimeng had Doctor of Commerce degrees conferred on them for their pioneering work in issues relating to black empowerment. Renowed microbiologist and National Research Foundation president Dr Khotso Mokhele and group executive of the center for Learning in Telkom South Africa, Dr Joseph Rajaratnam both had Doctor of Science degrees conferred on them.

In his written keynote speech, delivered at the ceremony, Eastern Cape Premier, Rev. Makhenkhesi Stofile called on government to take a closer look at its future funding formula for universities. The formula must, “combat the disadvantage of the blacks in general and Africas in particular and their universities.” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the address on behalf of Premier Stofile who could not attend the festive occasion. Stofile said the question of how universities were funded, “must be informed by ideological clarity and guided by sound political theory.” He said this needed to be done to, “equip us for a meaningful and quality participation in the African Renaissance.” “To simply juggle figures and statistics, we believe, is to hide behind the convenience of amnesia. We cannot forget where the history of disadvantages comes from for black people and their institutions,” said Stofile.

Stofile called on universities to change their role to become more, “ practical and assist in moves to improve the lives of the rural poor-especially women, youth and children” and to fight poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and inflation. Describing poverty and starvation as the main challenges in the Eastern Cape, he said there were many areas in which regional universities could form partnerships with the state and communities with a view to developing “sustainable food production”.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Ngqula said South Africa required education if the county was to successfully participate in the new economy. He identified HIV-AIDS and skills development as two priorities that needed attention if South Africa was to achieve its goals.