Date: 23/05/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: University of Zululand graduation ceremony
ADDRESS BY DR JACOB ZUMA, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S GRADUATION CEREMONY, Ongoye Campus, 23 May 2003
Vice-Chancellor;
Members of the University Senate and Council;
Esteemed Parents and Students;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is always an honour and a privilege to stand in front of this distinguished audience, when we celebrate the achievements of men and women who have qualified in their various disciplines.
In congratulating you, I would like to say a few things about education.
Education is one of the most important things to individuals and society as a whole.
When we come together to celebrate as we are today, we need to make graduands appreciate that the achievement made today is one of the most important ones for any individual.
This is an important achievement because education enhances abilities of people and adds value to an individual's general capacity. It extends the knowledge base, and also enables individuals to be better prepared to face all challenges in life. If you empower individuals with education you are in fact empowering society so that it is better able to deal with challenges.
Education is freedom. It enables you to see beyond limited horizons. If therefore you succeed in education, you reach a level where, in society, you become a guiding light, and are expected to play a very significant role in the process of enhancing development.
If education is freedom, you must therefore have been freedom fighters. If today you have made academic achievements, you are like a freedom fighter who has achieved freedom. The question is "What do you do with it?"
As graduands, you need to understand that these achievements must help in developing and uplifting our society. The challenge for you is to be able to work for the development of all our people.
If this is our collective understanding of education, it means, therefore, that education is a very important and critical tool in our quest to develop our country into a prosperous society.
As we celebrate our achievements as individuals, we need to be aware that there are more exciting and critical challenges that are ahead of us. I am sure you are going to work very hard in addressing them.
The degrees conferred to you today are an indication and testimony that you possess the necessary skills and expertise to contribute towards the reconstruction and development of our society.
Many students before you who graduated from this university are now holding key positions in various institutions in our country, and are making a meaningful contribution towards uplifting our economy and are also providing an effective political leadership in the governance of our country as well as other institutions in our society. I know you will do the same.
As we congratulate you, I know I am also speaking on your behalf when I take this opportunity of extending a very special word of congratulations to your parents.
We sometimes forget about the sacrifices they make - often against almost insurmountable odds - in an endeavour to educate their children. In so doing, they are making an important contribution in preparing them for an enhanced and meaningful future.
Like your sons and daughters, who today celebrate their success, we regard you as true champions for having the vision of steering our young people in the right direction.
We must also thank our academic colleagues present here today who remain committed to the noble profession of education. Your toil, sometimes under trying circumstances, can really be described as a life-giving heartbeat, for without producing sufficient professionals for the market place; no nation can hope to prosper.
As you have graduated, you are now a light for many of our young people who will look up to you for inspiration.
Once again I would like to congratulate you, the graduands, on your achievement and hope that those behind you will emulate your successes. Never forget to plough back your valuable expertise and time within your communities. We need all of you to keep the momentum going of developing South Africa to its full potential.
It is now up to you to take this further and become worthy and productive citizens - not only for yourself, but also for the benefit of your country and especially those who are less privileged than you.
Never cease to seek more knowledge.
Never tire of overcoming fresh obstacles.
Never compromise on maintaining a professional work ethic.
Never risk deeds that can harm your personal integrity - it is your most prized possession.
Never forget to plough back your valuable expertise and time within your communities. We need all of you to keep the momentum going of developing South Africa to its full potential.
Make us proud! We wish you well.
I thank you.
Issued by The Presidency
23 May 2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: University of Zululand graduation ceremony
ADDRESS BY DR JACOB ZUMA, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S GRADUATION CEREMONY, Ongoye Campus, 23 May 2003
Vice-Chancellor;
Members of the University Senate and Council;
Esteemed Parents and Students;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is always an honour and a privilege to stand in front of this distinguished audience, when we celebrate the achievements of men and women who have qualified in their various disciplines.
In congratulating you, I would like to say a few things about education.
Education is one of the most important things to individuals and society as a whole.
When we come together to celebrate as we are today, we need to make graduands appreciate that the achievement made today is one of the most important ones for any individual.
This is an important achievement because education enhances abilities of people and adds value to an individual's general capacity. It extends the knowledge base, and also enables individuals to be better prepared to face all challenges in life. If you empower individuals with education you are in fact empowering society so that it is better able to deal with challenges.
Education is freedom. It enables you to see beyond limited horizons. If therefore you succeed in education, you reach a level where, in society, you become a guiding light, and are expected to play a very significant role in the process of enhancing development.
If education is freedom, you must therefore have been freedom fighters. If today you have made academic achievements, you are like a freedom fighter who has achieved freedom. The question is "What do you do with it?"
As graduands, you need to understand that these achievements must help in developing and uplifting our society. The challenge for you is to be able to work for the development of all our people.
If this is our collective understanding of education, it means, therefore, that education is a very important and critical tool in our quest to develop our country into a prosperous society.
As we celebrate our achievements as individuals, we need to be aware that there are more exciting and critical challenges that are ahead of us. I am sure you are going to work very hard in addressing them.
The degrees conferred to you today are an indication and testimony that you possess the necessary skills and expertise to contribute towards the reconstruction and development of our society.
Many students before you who graduated from this university are now holding key positions in various institutions in our country, and are making a meaningful contribution towards uplifting our economy and are also providing an effective political leadership in the governance of our country as well as other institutions in our society. I know you will do the same.
As we congratulate you, I know I am also speaking on your behalf when I take this opportunity of extending a very special word of congratulations to your parents.
We sometimes forget about the sacrifices they make - often against almost insurmountable odds - in an endeavour to educate their children. In so doing, they are making an important contribution in preparing them for an enhanced and meaningful future.
Like your sons and daughters, who today celebrate their success, we regard you as true champions for having the vision of steering our young people in the right direction.
We must also thank our academic colleagues present here today who remain committed to the noble profession of education. Your toil, sometimes under trying circumstances, can really be described as a life-giving heartbeat, for without producing sufficient professionals for the market place; no nation can hope to prosper.
As you have graduated, you are now a light for many of our young people who will look up to you for inspiration.
Once again I would like to congratulate you, the graduands, on your achievement and hope that those behind you will emulate your successes. Never forget to plough back your valuable expertise and time within your communities. We need all of you to keep the momentum going of developing South Africa to its full potential.
It is now up to you to take this further and become worthy and productive citizens - not only for yourself, but also for the benefit of your country and especially those who are less privileged than you.
Never cease to seek more knowledge.
Never tire of overcoming fresh obstacles.
Never compromise on maintaining a professional work ethic.
Never risk deeds that can harm your personal integrity - it is your most prized possession.
Never forget to plough back your valuable expertise and time within your communities. We need all of you to keep the momentum going of developing South Africa to its full potential.
Make us proud! We wish you well.
I thank you.
Issued by The Presidency
23 May 2003
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