The somberness of traditional prayers and hymns, the pomp and ceremony of academia and the unadulterated joy of celebrating life’s achievements were woven into the richest tapestry to mark the centenary of the University of Fort Hare in Alice yesterday.
About 4000 people filled the indoor sports stadium on the campus to sing, dance, cheer and listen to academic and political leaders.
Colourful academic gowns complemented designer outfits, suits and Fort Hare blazers worn by younger and senior alumni.
Clenched fists and open-hand salutes were raised during the singing of the national anthem, reflecting the ideological threads that have been part of the university’s history. Crowds cheered as a special anniversary cake was cut at the end of formalities.
Chancellor-designate of Fort Hare the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile joined vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom and chair of the university council Thandi Orleyn in hosting dignitaries. These included Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthulezi, who delivered the ZK Matthews memorial lecture to honour the academic who was the first person to graduate at Fort Hare in 1923.
Matthews’s granddaughter and Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, who spoke on behalf of a large family contingent, Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle and Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Ndzimande were also present. The SA Communist Party secretary-general was subjected to muted booing when he rose to speak.
But it was a day for celebration and thanksgiving, with praise singers performing and rousing musical renditions that included the traditional hymn Lizalis’ idinga Lakho, performed by a university choir from the Alice and East London campuses. And the choir had Tom dancing on the stage to the traditional Afrikaans song Suikerbossie ek wil jou he.
Among the phalanx of politicians was ANC national chair and speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
Speakers emphasised that Fort Hare’s establishment and history could not be divorced from critical moments in South Africa’s history, with Masualle pointing to the arrival of Portuguese explorers and the passing of the 1913 Land Act.
The parallel histories of the university and the ANC were also reiterated, with Pandor saying the UFH and the ANC were inextricably linked. Buthulezi said he wondered how an ANC leader of ZK Matthews’s calibre would view the present state of the party he served, and the country he loved.
“How would he have felt about Polokwane and Mangaung? What would his reaction have been to the depth of corruption that pervades our... government at all levels?”
Ndzimande said ZK Matthews would have been proud of what the ANC had done for education in the country since democracy.
Pandor said African people had stood up to pursue their belief they should not be denied education because of their race. “What courage and leadership of thought – and it has lasted for 100 years.”
Tom thanked the founders of Fort Hare for strenuously fighting against Bantu education. — rayh@dispatch.co.za
Rich tapestry of celebrations
About 4000 people filled the indoor sports stadium on the campus to sing, dance, cheer and listen to academic and political leaders.
Colourful academic gowns complemented designer outfits, suits and Fort Hare blazers worn by younger and senior alumni.
Clenched fists and open-hand salutes were raised during the singing of the national anthem, reflecting the ideological threads that have been part of the university’s history. Crowds cheered as a special anniversary cake was cut at the end of formalities.
Chancellor-designate of Fort Hare the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile joined vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom and chair of the university council Thandi Orleyn in hosting dignitaries. These included Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthulezi, who delivered the ZK Matthews memorial lecture to honour the academic who was the first person to graduate at Fort Hare in 1923.
Matthews’s granddaughter and Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, who spoke on behalf of a large family contingent, Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle and Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Ndzimande were also present. The SA Communist Party secretary-general was subjected to muted booing when he rose to speak.
But it was a day for celebration and thanksgiving, with praise singers performing and rousing musical renditions that included the traditional hymn Lizalis’ idinga Lakho, performed by a university choir from the Alice and East London campuses. And the choir had Tom dancing on the stage to the traditional Afrikaans song Suikerbossie ek wil jou he.
Among the phalanx of politicians was ANC national chair and speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
Speakers emphasised that Fort Hare’s establishment and history could not be divorced from critical moments in South Africa’s history, with Masualle pointing to the arrival of Portuguese explorers and the passing of the 1913 Land Act.
The parallel histories of the university and the ANC were also reiterated, with Pandor saying the UFH and the ANC were inextricably linked. Buthulezi said he wondered how an ANC leader of ZK Matthews’s calibre would view the present state of the party he served, and the country he loved.
“How would he have felt about Polokwane and Mangaung? What would his reaction have been to the depth of corruption that pervades our... government at all levels?”
Ndzimande said ZK Matthews would have been proud of what the ANC had done for education in the country since democracy.
Pandor said African people had stood up to pursue their belief they should not be denied education because of their race. “What courage and leadership of thought – and it has lasted for 100 years.”
Tom thanked the founders of Fort Hare for strenuously fighting against Bantu education. — rayh@dispatch.co.za
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