Youths engaged in violent protests‚ burning schools and educational institutions were setting their own futures aflame‚ President Jacob Zuma said during the Fort Hare centenary celebrations.
“Students must reflect and think deeply about whose interest they are serving when they go all out to destroy their future and the future of their country.
“Burning schools‚ libraries and university buildings means burning the future‚ in simple terms. Is that our aim as we burn schools? I doubt.
“If we do so‚ history will judge those who burn universities‚ buildings and schools very harshly‚” Zuma said.
“There are some who claim that people resort to violent protests because this is the language that government understands.
“Any analyst or leader who said that is completely mistaken and should reconsider his position‚” he added.
The celebrations were marred by protest action this week and students continued to protest even while proceedings continued in the main hall.
Zuma described Fort Hare as a rare institution because of the number of African leaders it has produced.
He quoted the university’s famous alumni Nelson Mandela‚ who described the institution as “both a home and incubator of the greatest African scholars”.
“Fort Hare defied the objectives of colonial masters and became an instrument of liberation‚” said Zuma.
“We are filled with pride when we mention the formidable intellectuals and leaders produced by this university.
“This institution produced five heads of state – a rare achievement in the history of humankind.
“The leaders were not just Pan Africanist but also internationalist‚ with diverse ideological and political orientation‚” Zuma said.
Fort Hare prides itself of producing some of the greatest leaders in Africa. Among them are Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe‚ Professor ZA Mathews and ANC leaders Govan Mbeki and Oliver Tambo. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Zuma slams violence
“Students must reflect and think deeply about whose interest they are serving when they go all out to destroy their future and the future of their country.
“Burning schools‚ libraries and university buildings means burning the future‚ in simple terms. Is that our aim as we burn schools? I doubt.
“If we do so‚ history will judge those who burn universities‚ buildings and schools very harshly‚” Zuma said.
“There are some who claim that people resort to violent protests because this is the language that government understands.
“Any analyst or leader who said that is completely mistaken and should reconsider his position‚” he added.
The celebrations were marred by protest action this week and students continued to protest even while proceedings continued in the main hall.
Zuma described Fort Hare as a rare institution because of the number of African leaders it has produced.
He quoted the university’s famous alumni Nelson Mandela‚ who described the institution as “both a home and incubator of the greatest African scholars”.
“Fort Hare defied the objectives of colonial masters and became an instrument of liberation‚” said Zuma.
“We are filled with pride when we mention the formidable intellectuals and leaders produced by this university.
“This institution produced five heads of state – a rare achievement in the history of humankind.
“The leaders were not just Pan Africanist but also internationalist‚ with diverse ideological and political orientation‚” Zuma said.
Fort Hare prides itself of producing some of the greatest leaders in Africa. Among them are Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe‚ Professor ZA Mathews and ANC leaders Govan Mbeki and Oliver Tambo. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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