9 June 2001
Mr Chancellor, Dr Buthelezi, uMntwana wakwaPhindangene
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dlamini,
Member of the University Council
Cabinet Ministers and members of parliament and legislature present
The family of Chief Albert Luthuli
Member of the diplomatic corps
Parents
Fellow Graduands
Ladies and gentlemen
As I stand before this august gathering today, I am filled with deep emotion, as I have never, throughout my difficult and eventful life, expected to receive honour of this kind.
I humbly did what I thought I need to do, to contribute to ridding our country of the scourges of racism and oppression, and never expected recognition of this nature. The fact that a university in my home province is recognising me makes this day even more special.
The University of Zululand has played an important role in the history of the province and of the country. Having been created as part of a plan, like many other black universities, with very specific objectives and policies, this university defied apartheid architects and managed to produce many respected academics and political leaders. A number of graduates of this institution hold influential positions in government and the private sector.
Once again as I have said in other occasion, I regard the recognition of my efforts as a recognition of many of those who were unfortunate due to a variety of circumstances, to receive formal education, but who, during the struggle, played an important role including making supreme sacrifices.
These are people who, in the chapters of our history, appear not to be just insignificant but are actually non-existent, despite having made enormous contributions. Honourable Chancellor, it is in the main on their behalf that I accept this honour.
In this regard, I would also like to remember some of the great leaders who have not been sufficiently recognised. In this regard, I cannot help but think of outstanding leaders such as Moses Mabhida, a distinguished leader of the ANC, Jonny Mfanafuthi makhathini, a leader and former head of international affairs in the ANC during the struggle who spearheaded the campaign to isolate apartheid South African and Mduduzi Guma, a lawyer produced by this university and an outstanding commander of the people's army, MK, who was killed during the Matola raid in Maputo, Mozambique.
Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot even begin to describe what a privilege it is for me to be receiving this honorary doctorate together with the first African to receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, Chief Albert Luthuli. I feel dwarfed, walking in the shadow of this giant, and congratulate his family on such a wonderful occasion, which allows us all to once again celebrate his life and contribution to our freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen, I also believe that in taking the decision to award this doctorate, the university is also recognising the humble contribution that I made in working for peace and stability in the province, which was once plagued by high levels of violence. It is certainly moving to know that this university, given its status, recognises this important aspect of what we did as political leaders in the province. I take it that it is again acknowledgement recognition of the work, done not by me alone as an individual, but recognition of the work, done not by me alone as an individual, but through the collective wisdom of the leadership of both the IFP and ANC. I remember my early involvement in signing the Lower Umflozi Peace Accord at Empangeni, with the late Mr Steve Sithebe, former Minister of the Interior in the erstwhile KwaZulu Government, among others.
It also brings to mind the work that was done in this regard between the then chairman of the IFP, Dr Frank Mdlalose, and myself operating in a number of structures, which included, among others, twelve aside and 10 aside joint committees of the ANC and IFP, after 1994.
This work was a follow-up to an important and historic top leadership meeting between the ANC and IFP, which took place on 1 September 1991, in Durban. Mr Chancellor, I also want to believe that this honorary doctorate is in recognition of the work being done currently by the IFP and ANC.
In this vein, Mr Chancellor, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it is correct for me to dedicate this doctorate to the thousands of people who died during the political violence in this province. Among these were political activists on both sides as well as innocent and uninvolved people including women and children. I would also like to remember the orphans who lost their families because of the violence.
Mr Chancellor, it is highly significant that this university is appreciating the political maturity of the leadership of this province. It is equally remarkable that after working together to achieve peace, the IFP and ANC leadership chose to work together in a coalition government.
This achievement needs to be encouraged and nurtured, for its is a shining example when taken against the background of common African conflicts in the continent. Many in the African continent and beyond have praised this success, which has made us as South African proud.
Allow me, Mr Chancellor, to highlight your own personal role as a leader of the IFP, and also the role played by our former President Nelson Mandela who was then a leader of ANC.
As leaders, you guided all these efforts, fully supported by the entire membership of bother organisations, as expressed in both the ANC's national conference in Mafikeng in 1997 and IFP's national conference in Ulundi. I take it that through this gesture, this university is also acknowledging your own contribution.
The return of peace and stability in this province has provided an opportunity for reconstruction and development to take place. For example, this morning, I participated in a colourful celebration in kwaNgcolosi, where the Peace and Reconstruction Foundation has just competed the renovation of nine schools. These are the kinds of developments we want to see happening in this province.
KwaZulu-Natal has the potential of becoming an even bigger economic powerhouse, not only in South Africa but also in SADC because of its infrastructure such as the port, railways, communication systems and its growing tourism industry. All this will now be enhanced thanks to peace.
However, we should note that the celebration of peace in the province is a further challenge to all of us, but mainly the political leadership, to deepen the relationships and unity of our people, and to ensure that they are given a chance to exploit their full potential in every respect.
Honourable Chancellor, I beg your indulgence to share some personal notes with this august audience. As it is now a well-known fact, I did not receive formal education due to circumstances beyond my control. I received what would be described as informal education, and largely educated myself. But at times I have argued that what I received was education, whether one chooses to call it informal or formal.
The reason I have argued this is because no-one could convince me that King Shaka Ka Senzangakhona was not an intellectual, while historians have described him as a genius who formulated strategies and tactics which have stood the test of time in the field of governance, military science, nature conservation, economics and nation building.
My saying this does not suggest that I belong to the same category, but it is to emphasise the fact that I was educatedby a community in the village of KwaNxamalala in Inkandla, by men and women who themselves had not gone to school, but had profound lessons that shaped my intellectual capacity and made me to be what I am today.
Among the lessons I received were love and respect for my fellow beings, to distinguish between wrong and right, and basically inculcated in me values, which made me realise what it means to be a human being.
Today a small contingent of them is present in this hall, representing that community. To me that community was everything, it was my primary school, my secondary school and my university. Today a small contingent of them is present in this hall, representing that community. To me that community was everything, it was my primary school, my secondary school and my university. Within the community, there were three of my mother - my biological mother, Nkubhekisisa Zuma, umaMzobe, my senior mother uMaYengowayo and umama omcaneuSiyabenqaba Zuma, uMaShezi. The three of them made a tremendous contribution to my formative years, and my heart is filled with joy as I remember them at this special occasion.
Honourable Chancellor, in the same vein, allow me to acknowledge a most amazing person who has shared a greater part of my life, - a wife, a friend, a sister and a mother to me - Sizakele Gertrude Zuma, uMakhumalo.
Her loyalty and commitment to me has been an extraordinary one. As a girlfriend, she waited for ten years and six months for me while I was imprisoned on Robben Island. As a wife, she waited for fourteen and a half years while I was in exile.
She was persecuted by the apartheid police, particularly the special branch, and when she attempted to leave the country, was detained by Swazi police because she had crossed the border illegally, as the apartheid regime refused to give her a passport. She was deported back to South Africa, where she was once again detained for about a week.
During the political violence, in this province, our homestead at kwaNxamalala, where she resides, was burnt twice. She has indeed suffered a lot because of her loyalty, love and commitment to me, I am therefore happy that, today, she is present here to celebrate and witness this honour being bestowed upon me.
Before concluding, allow me once again, Mr Chancellor, to recognise your own role in this institution, with regard to the leadership you have given. I know it has not been easy, especially if we take into account your own experience in the struggle for freedom, and your fight against Bantu Education, as well as your commitment to the education of the black people of this country.
I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate professor Joseph Shabalala, with whom I am sharing the honour today. Mshengu, you have been our biggest ambassador in the field of arts and culture, promoting a unique South African sound, and through you, our music has become a household name abroad. Congratulations, you deserve this recognition, you have done a lot four our country.
To the graduands receiving their degrees today, remember that you are walking in the footsteps of many who went through this university, who are now helping to shape the future of this country in many respects. Your achievements must therefore be understood to be achievements of the whole country, and we congratulate you and wish you well in your future endeavours.
You should always remember that your predecessors fought for the liberation of this country, and assisted us to realise the goal of a non-racial, non-sexist South Africa and democracy. Your task, therefore, is to nurture, enhance, and defend this democracy. Use your education as an instrument to advance our country to higher levels.
Mr Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, the University Council, and entire university community, I would like to thank you for this honour. It means a lot to my family, and myself, and I will forever cherish the memories.
I thank you.