7 December 2001
Chairperson and
Members of the Council;
I am delighted to be here today and to address the Council as the New Chancellor of the University.
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the confidence you have shown in me, and the honour you have bestowed in me through electing me as Chancellor.
As this is my first meeting with you, and the fact that we have not had a discussion on the specific issues affecting the institution, I will focus on general but important issues facing higher education institutions today. I am addressing the Council at a crucial time in the history of higher education in this country.
Since the establishment of the new democratic government in this country, higher education has been under the spotlight largely because of the role it has to play in the socio-economic and political development of the country.
Apartheid had produced a system that was not necessarily aimed at providing for the broader human resource needs of the country in general, but was much more concerned with racial and spatial separation in line with its segregationist philosophy.
As a result of this a lot of unnecessary duplication was produced. Moreover, this resulted in a system that was inefficient, wasteful and uncoordinated.
It was in the light of this that the National Commission on Higher Education was established. This commission conducted a comprehensive study of higher education and made a number of recommendations.
The Ministry of Education responded with a White Paper on Higher Education. From this White Paper flowed the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997.
The White Paper contained a number of other recommendations that were aimed at transforming the whole of higher education so as to produce a system that is seamless, co-ordinated and efficient.
The Ministry of Education has since been under an obligation to implement these recommendations in order to have a system of higher education that is responsive to the needs of the country rather than one that serves a particular ideology.
In the year 2000, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) Document on Size and Shape Appeared and this was extensively debated by the higher education sector. The Ministry of Education responded to this with the National Plan for Higher Education (NPHE).
The purpose of this plan is the re-configuration of the higher education landscape. This plan is being implemented and we await with keen interest the outcome of this implementation. We trust that this will result in a better, more efficient higher education system, Which addresses the needs of the country.
Suggestions have been made for possible mergers of certain institutions. This is a delicate process, which affects not only institutions but also communities, which have certain expectations of these institutions. Mergers are also more successful where there is affinity of interests and values. But all should be done to produce a better system of higher education.
The critical question is therefore: What are the implications of all this for the University of Zululand? Although the University of Zululand was established to serve the policy of the apartheid government, there is no doubt that it has outgrown the structures off apartheid. It has over the years produced fine men and women who have and are playing an active part in the socio-economic and political arena of our country.
The University Zululand therefore needs to reposition itself to be able to play an important part in the development of the area where it is situated. It needs to make an impact in the lives of the people who are beset with poverty, disease, unemployment and illiteracy. I am aware that there are limited resources. But every effort should be made to ensure that this University plays an active role in these issues.
The University of Zululand needs to continue to provide access to higher education to a number of especially black children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has to evolve effective strategies to ensure that it adds value to these young men and women of this country.
It should also provide programmes that will ensure that these young people become employable. The level of unemployment in the country is cause for concern. There is no doubt that what we need is a system, which seeks to produce more people who will be potential employers than those who are potential employees.
There is a wide catchment area for this institution. It is the only higher education institution north of the UThukela River. There is no doubt that a number of parents look up to the University to provide higher education for their children. It is unfortunate that a number of these parents are poor and therefore unable to pay fees. The University nonetheless is an important national symbol in the area.
The University should contribute to the growth and development of our new democracy. It should play an important role in strengthening the culture of democracy and of human rights in the country by producing young men and women who are characterised by creative and critical thinking.
These young people should realise that the country needs them and needs their creative input into the political processes that are taking place in the country.
We have a wonderful Constitution that is regarded as second to none in the world. We need to ensure that this Constitution lives in the hearts and minds of the people of this country.
There is no other institution in the area, which can play this role other than the University of Zululand.
Our Constitution contains a Bill of Rights which is the cornerstone of democracy and contains the rights of the people. It is based on the core democratic values of freedom, equality and human dignity. We need to propagate this in our community.
In order for the University to be able to reach those goals it has to have effective governance. That is the role of the Council. There can be no effective governance without co-operative governance.
Effective and co-operative governance can only take place if there is a shared vision between the Council and the other structures of governance in the institution. They must work towards the attainment of this vision.
An important aspect of this shared vision is the realisation that the University of Zululand is a national asset. It has to be treated with care and be strengthened. Whatever policies are developed should always bear this in mind.
Whatever disagreements take place between those who govern and manage the institution should not lead to a situation where the institution is destroyed. There must be a healthy airing of views. But this must be done in a constructive manner and with respect to the dignity of others.
I am saying this because while we are committed to transformation of higher education, this transformation must be accompanied by the strengthening of higher education institutions. It does not seem that this is always the case. It is disturbing to note that among especially Historically Black Higher Education Institutions, there is constant conflict between the Councils and management.
As a result some of these institutions are without Councils and vice-chancellors. Two of them are under the control of an administrator.
A number of black vice-chancellors have left under conditions, which can be regarded as hostile and destructive.
The effect of this is that the management of the institution becomes paralysed and it becomes difficult for that institution to attract the right calibre of leadership. As I have said this is only happening at Historically Black Institutions. Historically White Institutions are continuing to operate normally.
We need to stand back and reflect on these issues to establish what the causes of this are and to provide a remedy. We cannot afford to let these institutions degenerate into chaos because as I have said they are a national asset. They do not belong to individuals. Individuals will come and go and they must leave a strong base from which their successors will operate. It is equally important to focus on issues rather than on personalities.
Ladies and gentlemen, your constituencies elected you into this Council because they believe that you have the necessary qualities and competence to do a good job of governing this institution, and that you will be more than equal to the challenges that this institution is facing.
You have the potential to overcome these challenges and to ensure that the University of Zululand becomes a leading institution in this area. Every effort therefore should be made for the realisation of this goal of co-operative governance and consequently the strengthening of the University of Zululand.
The country is indeed facing many daunting challenges. It needs the knowledge and guidance that comes from higher education institutions. These institutions cannot afford to fail the country in this respect.
The University of Zululand is no exception. These institutions should be a beacon of hope during this era not only in terms of the knowledge they produce, but also in terms of governance and management and the provision of community services.
There is a need for closer working links with certain sections of the government sector.
Higher education institutions like the University of Zululand owe it to the country to assist it with these many challenges. The amount of money that the government puts into higher education justifies it.
That is why there is a demand for more accountability for these institutions. The financial resources are not increasing at the same pace as the needs of the country.
I trust that you as members of the Council will constantly bear this in mind and that in your wisdom to direct the affairs of this institution so that it becomes a great institution in this region, country and continent.
I thank you