Institutions that received cash bequests from the will of the late former president Nelson Mandela have expressed appreciation for the donation and remarked that the donations signified Mandela’s commitment to education.
Mandela‚ who passed away in 2013‚ left R100‚000 each to a number of educational institutions for scholarships and bursaries.
On Friday‚ the executors presented cash bequests made in terms of the will of Mandela.
The institutions which were named in the will are Clarkebury High School in the Transkei‚ Healdtown Comprehensive High School‚ Fort Hare University and Wits University‚ Qunu Secondary School and the Orlando West High School.
Ayanda Mjekula‚ representing the University of Fort Hare‚ said the institution felt honoured to receive the amount from Madiba.
“The fact that it is R100‚000 does not matter. It is the thought that is behind the bequest that really matters.”
Mjekula said the bequest to education institutions of higher learning was symbolic.
“It shows his commitment to education in general and of course the care he has specifically for Fort Hare.
“I think we have a collective responsibility to perpetuate his legacy in the area of education‚ and for my institution‚ it is a promise we will live up to‚” Mjekula.
Zeblon Vilakazi‚ Wits deputy vice-chancellor for research and postgraduate affairs‚ said the bequest was a signature of approval and confidence in the institution‚ irrespective of the amount.
Vilakazi said the donation sent a message of the importance of higher education in the country.
“The fact that Mr Mandela decided to put his name and signature to this university shows the impact the university had on him in his formative years when he left the Eastern Cape to come to Johannesburg.
“That is where he met (veteran human rights lawyer) George Bizos‚ he met (politicians) Joe Slovo‚ Ruth First and many other stalwarts that shaped and changed the way he was to become the next leader of the country‚” Vilakazi said.
Fort Hare and Wits universities honoured by Mandela bequests
Mandela‚ who passed away in 2013‚ left R100‚000 each to a number of educational institutions for scholarships and bursaries.
On Friday‚ the executors presented cash bequests made in terms of the will of Mandela.
The institutions which were named in the will are Clarkebury High School in the Transkei‚ Healdtown Comprehensive High School‚ Fort Hare University and Wits University‚ Qunu Secondary School and the Orlando West High School.
Ayanda Mjekula‚ representing the University of Fort Hare‚ said the institution felt honoured to receive the amount from Madiba.
“The fact that it is R100‚000 does not matter. It is the thought that is behind the bequest that really matters.”
Mjekula said the bequest to education institutions of higher learning was symbolic.
“It shows his commitment to education in general and of course the care he has specifically for Fort Hare.
“I think we have a collective responsibility to perpetuate his legacy in the area of education‚ and for my institution‚ it is a promise we will live up to‚” Mjekula.
Zeblon Vilakazi‚ Wits deputy vice-chancellor for research and postgraduate affairs‚ said the bequest was a signature of approval and confidence in the institution‚ irrespective of the amount.
Vilakazi said the donation sent a message of the importance of higher education in the country.
“The fact that Mr Mandela decided to put his name and signature to this university shows the impact the university had on him in his formative years when he left the Eastern Cape to come to Johannesburg.
“That is where he met (veteran human rights lawyer) George Bizos‚ he met (politicians) Joe Slovo‚ Ruth First and many other stalwarts that shaped and changed the way he was to become the next leader of the country‚” Vilakazi said.
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