South Africans need to realise that their long-term interest lies in a common humanity as South Africans rather than in short-term individual gain or in racial populism, labour activist and retired sociology professor Eddie Webster said.
Speaking at a Rhodes University graduation ceremony on Saturday where he also received an honorary doctorate, Webster urged Rhodes graduates to find a way of understanding both the past and the ongoing struggle to discover their common humanity as South Africans.
“If we are to make the radical changes that we must make to become a truly great African university you, the new generation of graduates, will have to find a way of understanding our past in its profound complexity – not only the pain of racialised dispossession – but also our ongoing struggle to discover our common humanity as South Africans.”
On receiving her honorary doctorate on Friday, Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Dr Beatrice Mtetwa, who has received numerous international awards, said her doctorate marked the first time she had been recognised in Africa with an award.
She joked that when she heard the ceremony would be on April 1, she was convinced it was a prank.
Mtetwa rubbished the view held by some in Africa that human rights was a Eurocentric or un-African concept.
“Many of our political leaders went to war to enforce our rights.”
She urged students to give back to their communities – even if it was just dedicating one hour a week to them.
“You can make a difference.”
University orator Professor Paul Maylam said operating as a human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe required great courage and resilience. She had been arrested, beaten and harassed by Zimbabwean police.
“Beatrice Mtetwa has not taken any of this lying down – steadfast in her belief that courage makes change possible, and in her insistence that the rule of law is absolutely crucial. In spite of the repression and her personal traumas, she still has hope for a better future for Zimbabwe.”
Some 2103 students graduated during six ceremonies held over three days at the university.
SA must seek ‘common humanity’
Speaking at a Rhodes University graduation ceremony on Saturday where he also received an honorary doctorate, Webster urged Rhodes graduates to find a way of understanding both the past and the ongoing struggle to discover their common humanity as South Africans.
“If we are to make the radical changes that we must make to become a truly great African university you, the new generation of graduates, will have to find a way of understanding our past in its profound complexity – not only the pain of racialised dispossession – but also our ongoing struggle to discover our common humanity as South Africans.”
On receiving her honorary doctorate on Friday, Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Dr Beatrice Mtetwa, who has received numerous international awards, said her doctorate marked the first time she had been recognised in Africa with an award.
She joked that when she heard the ceremony would be on April 1, she was convinced it was a prank.
Mtetwa rubbished the view held by some in Africa that human rights was a Eurocentric or un-African concept.
“Many of our political leaders went to war to enforce our rights.”
She urged students to give back to their communities – even if it was just dedicating one hour a week to them.
“You can make a difference.”
University orator Professor Paul Maylam said operating as a human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe required great courage and resilience. She had been arrested, beaten and harassed by Zimbabwean police.
“Beatrice Mtetwa has not taken any of this lying down – steadfast in her belief that courage makes change possible, and in her insistence that the rule of law is absolutely crucial. In spite of the repression and her personal traumas, she still has hope for a better future for Zimbabwe.”
Some 2103 students graduated during six ceremonies held over three days at the university.
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