Pretoria, 26 May 2001
Honourable Chancellor, Prof ET Mogkokong
Honourable Vice Chancellor, Prof RA Mogkotlane
Distinguished Members of Council and Senate
Academics, Parents and Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
Let me begin by complimenting this venerable institution of higher learning, the Medial University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) for its splendid performance since its inception in the field of science and medicine in our country and the southern Africa region. In comparative terms MEDUNSA is one of the younger universities of our nation, yet it has in its youth acquitted itself so well and become a giver of pride and resorted of dignity to our people, previously marginalised by the deliberate grand strategies of apartheid.
The institution was established to specifically to address the dire shortage of African scholars and scientists in the greated medical and healthcare disciplines.
Despite the resource constraints and other limitations imposed by the circumstance of that era, it has managed to defy all impediments, and has gained the respect of its contemporaries both nationally and internationally.
Among the universities in our country, MEDUNSA stands out amongst the institutions that have responded to our call for a partnership with government in our fight to eradicated disease amongst our people, particularly HIV / AIDS. It is therefore fitting that this honour should come from you institution.
This in my mind is the highest accolade that has been given by an institution of this stature for the work that government has done. My work is in fact the work of government and thus any tribute paid to me in carrying out my duties is, to me, recognition to both government and myself as an implementer of government programmes. However it is also recognition of the work done by non-governmental roleplayers as well.
When I was first informed of your institution's plans to bestow his honour on me, I was convinced that this should be seen as a tribute o our government for the work it has done since coming to power in 1994, and also to all those outside government who have take the fight against HIV/AIDS in may ways.
It is important to us that our effort in combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS must be seen as a continuum that starts with the coming into office of the first democratic government and progresses to the present day.
It is important also to acknowledge that the programmes that we are carrying out today under the auspices of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), and government, were to a great extent inspired by initiatives that have been take by our government since 1994, many of which were launched by President Thabo Mbeki during his term as Deputy president.
Most notable amongst these is the Partnership Against HIV/AID that was launched in 1999, providing the bedrock upon which SANAC was later founded, to name but one. The campaign against HIV/AIDS is a national effort in which all spheres and departments of our government have joined forces with various sectors of civil society in a broad-based patriotic coalition.
SANAC has embarked on a community outreach and empowerment programme that sees the forum holding its monthly meeting in various communities in the province of our country.
In addition to helping members of SANAC to acquaint themselves with the initiatives at the provincial and local levels, the programme encourages initiative and creativity on the part of the different spheres of our government and community-based organisations and individuals.
WE are pleased to say that SANAC is making an impact, and is providing valuable input in the government-led work on HIV/AIDS. In acknowledgement of the role that the media can play in disseminating information on HIV/AIDS and in promoting community particpation, special relations have been established with the media and this has led to meaningful and mutually beneficial collaboration.
It is in this context that I, once again, affirm the swift and decisive response on the part of MEDUNSA when we approached this institution and Stellenboch University to develop a learning intervention to empower those who manage people in the world of work.
The multidisciplinary postgraduate Diploma in the Management of HIV/AIDS in the World of Work which has already enrolled 165 students, and is hailed countrywide and internationally as profoundly innovative.
We count on MEDUNSA to continue to lead the way in helping our nation to produce a well trained cadre of healthcare professional, especially equipped to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS and other related infectious diseases for the benefit of South Africa and the SACD region.
The world-class quality medical practitioners, public healthcare providers and specialists that this institution has produced, have earned us a special place in the scientific and human competencies map of the world.
MEDUNSA emerged as the first African managed institution to create possibilities for African people to give expression to their scientific potential.
Through its achievements, MEDUNSA has dealt a telling blow to the apartheid-nurtured myth that African medical scientists, by virtue of their colour, had certain limitations and could not advance beyond general medical practice.
In our broader struggle for liberation and our continuing struggle to transform our country this institution has and continues to occupy a concrete and specific trench in the country's effort to bring about a better life to all our people.
MEDUNSA has become a centre of excellence that has distinguished itself through successfully carrying out very delicate and complex operations that have captured the attention of the world and drawn praise from scientific and non-scientific circles worldwide. The point here is that, not only has MEDUNSA produced medial practitioners in considerable numbers, the institution has produced specialist of a world class caliber. It has made this its core-competence.
Allow me Honourable Chancellor to express our immense pride in MEDUNSA as one of our highly reputable and magnificently accomplished scientific and academic institutions.
We are mindful and proud of the support that MEDUNSA renders in favour of many community-based programmes on HIV/AIDS in Gauteng, Northwest and other provinces through its final year students and other such programmes. The School of Public Health, and its esteemed Dean, deserves special mention at this point.
AS we accept this lofty honour with humility, we observe the commendable work that MEDUNSA also does in collaboration with its counterparts internationally.
The institution serves as an extraordinary ambassador for our country, brining us prestige in this field, in addition to the benefits of scientific technological knowledge, skill and experience sharing and exchange with such nations as the United States of America.
Testimony to that is the presence this morning of a distinguished personality, the Honourable Ronald V Dellums, former leading member of the United State Congress, a colourful and highly commended anti-apartheid campaigner and architect of the highly inspiring anti-apartheid bill, that delivered a shattering blow to the apartheid system and its supporters - and has recently crafted the AIDS Marshall Plan.
The experience of the United States in relation to HIV/AIDS is o tremendous value to us, particularly given their work in the area of blood transfusion, one of the areas in which the first case of HIV were noticed.
In conclusion allow me to say that I continue to be humbled by the generosity of MEDUNSA and their strategic partners in the United States of America. It is still very fresh in my memory that they recognised our modest work for peace, through the Nelson Mandela Award for Outstanding Leadership, awarded to me in Washington DC in 1998.
This honour that has been bestowed upon me this morning is recognition of the struggle and sacrifices of many patriots and freedom loving South African, including those who paid the ultimate price for our democratic, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
I will endeavour to live up to the challenge presented by the distinctions and recognition that you have conferred upon me. In accepting this honour, I cannot help but think of those gallant heroes who fought and even fell in the struggle to bring about our liberation, democracy and the culture o respect for fundamental human rights.
Given the fact that it is also given in acknowledgement of the work done in combating HIV/AIDS, I cannot fail to remember those who have become affected by HIV/AIDS, especially those who live with the virus and those who died of AIDS related diseases as well as the multitudes of orphans.
I therefore request this august congregation to rise and join me in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have died of AIDS.
I thank you.