Alice, 25 May 2001
Honourable Chancellor, Professor Sibusiso Bengu
Honourable Vice-chancellor, Prof Derek Swartz
Academics and graduands
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Never in my life did I, even for one moment, think that I would one day stand before such a distinguished audience in this historic and prestigious institution, and be honoured as I am today.
When the possibilities of receiving a formal education slipped away at a young age, and during the various phases of my life; - as a herdboy, a young worker in the trade union movement, as an ordinary freedom fighter, a ninety day detainee and a prisoner on Robben Island for ten years, during my fourteen and a half years in exile, and when I was part of the negotiating team, working towards a political settlement in my country, I never dreamt of a recognition and honour of any kind at any stage.
Words alone cannot explain how I feel as I stand before you today, to receive this honour from one of the country's most historic and finest institutions, especially on such an important day, the 25 of May , which was designated by the Organisation of African Unity as Africa Day.
It is befitting and most touching for us to be at the University of Fort Hare on Africa Day, as for many decades during the worst periods in the history of our country, this African institution was a centre of distinction, producing outstanding intellectuals and leaders for our country and the rest of our Continent.
I cannot help but remember some of the illustrious scholars who were part of the galaxy of leaders who went through this institution, such as the former President of the ANC, Oliver Reginald Tambo, former President of the ANC and first President of a democratic South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the distinguished scholar, writer, former President of the Senate in 1994 in the Democratic South Africa and outgoing Chancellor of this University, Govan Mbeki, and Prof. ZK Matthews, a former rector of this university to name but a few.
When one looks at the names mentioned above, the notion of "organic intellectuals" as espoused by Anton Gramsci, springs to mind, referring to intellectuals who use their learning not for their own self-interest and advancement, but also for the overall advancement of others. In the context of South Africa, these were intellectuals who dedicated their lives to the emancipation of the oppressed in the struggle for a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
Ladies and gentlemen, it was no coincidence that the University of Fort Hare became a site of struggle, it was its destiny, given its location. Lying alongside the Tyhume River, this area was a centre of collision between blacks and whites in the wars of dispossession and conquests. On this land, Tshaka ka Chungwa made a home, and of course this was later used by the British as a fort.
Decades later, after the ANC changed its form of struggle from non-violence to a violent struggle, a unit of Umkhonto Wesizwe operated from here. Among those who served in it was comrade Andrew Masondo who was a lecturer in Applied Mathematics, and who is now a general in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other comrades, MacGloria Mdingi and the late Rex Luphonjwana. They were among the first MK cadres who were arrested in 1962 and served long terms on Robben Island.
Honoured guests, I cannot fail to mention that the University of Fort Hare continues to chart a course for itself that will position it to make a difference in the lives of the people of our country.
The university has set out on a bold course of institutional renewal to restructure and revamp itself over the last two years, under the astute leadership of Prof Derek Swartz and the new Council. I fondly remember being present when your Strategic Plan 2000 was launched last year.
Fort Hare is an important national treasure that can, must and will survive into the future and must continue to play a critical role in the development of our country. When leaders of this institution proceed to transform it, they must never forget the place it occupies in our history and should not erase its rich history and noble tradition.
Given its history and its standing within the community, Fort Hare is well positioned to play a critical role in rural development in this region, as well as in the Eastern Cape as a whole, especially given the abject poverty that still exists in many parts of the province.
Other areas of possible involvement are research studies, which can assist with the provision of infrastructure development and the audit of needs of the province. The restructuring of local government is another important area in which the institution can assist the governance and development process in the country. The ongoing transformation of the civil service and improving the skills of civil servants must also be high on the institution's agenda. This is important for the delivery process at provincial and local level.
The role of institutions like Fort Hare will therefore be critical in developing the necessary human capital that will make our economy competitive and give us the necessary advantage.
The fact that you could produce people of the calibre of OR and Madiba is proof that Fort Hare can adapt to the new conditions of the knowledge-based society and produce the scientists, engineers, technicians, civil servants and social scientists that are required in this new century and at the same time produce quality research.
What must be emphasised today as a nation building challenge, is the education of the disadvantaged. When Fort Hare was established, the education of Africans was of absolute importance, and today, many decades later, the education of the African child is as important as it was then, if not more.
Honourable Chancellor and distinguished participants, the education of the African child means a lot to me, for I stand before you today, as a South African, who, due to the evil system of apartheid and unfortunate circumstances, had to resort to self-education, since the doors of learning were closed.
I later dedicated my life to the struggle for the liberation of my country, South Africa, so that future generations could enjoy freedom and equality, as aptly described in the Freedom Charter, while continuing the struggle to educate myself.
In what I did, this University has seen something worth recognition, and for that I am truly honoured, for mine has been, in my view, a humble and insignificant contribution, as I walked alongside giants of the struggle, who achieved grater things than I did.
I am equally aware that there are thousands of South Africans who sacrificed their comfort and families, and paid supreme sacrifices to make South Africa a better place to live in.
These are heroes and heroines who will never be known. Some of them were uneducated and invisible, others lie buried in unknown graves, while others were burnt to ashes. They all contributed to the birth of the South Africa we are now proud to be living in.
Honourable Chancellor, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen, I therefore wish to dedicate this Honorary Doctorate to all those patriot, freedom fighters, volunteers, revolutionaries, comrades and those unknown soldiers of the struggle. Their contribution was crucial in advancing the struggle for the attainment of freedom and democracy in our land. I accept this honour, as an acknowledgement of the contribution they made.
Distinguished participants, allow me to conclude by congratulating, Professor Sibusiso Bengu on his appointment as Chancellor of this institution. There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind that he will serve the university with distinction, as he did while he was still Vice- Chancellor. I would also like to congratulate all the graduands in our midst.
The earlier graduates of Fort Hare faced the huge challenge of freeing South Africa from oppression. They rose to the occasion and succeeded in bringing democracy to this country. You should emulate them. Your cause and mission should be to enhance and defend the culture of democracy and human rights in our country and eradicate underdevelopment, and make South Africa a prosperous country.
Once again, thank you, University of Fort Hare for the honour you have bestowed upon me. I will forever cherish it. It is a recognition that moves me, and it certainly fills me with deep emotion.
I thank you.