MBOMBELA – A new order was established when deputy president Mr Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated as chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) on Saturday.
A seat of science was born, a seat committed to the creation of a new and unique civilisation. According to Ramaphosa, UMP is set to become more than a seat of learning and a repository of knowledge.
“It will become an instrument of progress and a beacon of hope,” he said.
UMP is one of South Africa’s two post-apartheid universities. The other is the Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape.
In an iconic moment, Ramaphosa and Mpumalanga premier, Mr David Mabuza shook hands, which transformed into a spontaneous embrace as Ramaphosa congratulated Mabuza, the province’s former MEC for education, on having finally seen his dream come to life.
“The UMP started to come to life 20 years ago when Mabuza set up a committee to explore the possibility of establishing a university in this province,” Ramaphosa recalled. Mabuza’s act of foresight will benefit the people of this province for years to come.
Dr David Mabunda adorned Ramaphosa with his honorary robe, which Ramaphosa slipped into, bearing a smile that did not leave his face for the rest of the day.
Ramaphosa congratulated Mabunda, vice-chancellor Prof Thoko Mayekiso and their colleagues for the sterling job they had done in establishing the academic institution thus far.
The university’s first students were enrolled in February 2014 and it now offers various bachelors and diploma courses in the fields of agriculture, development studies, education, conservation, hospitality management and information communication technology in application development.
Ramaphosa acknowledged South Africa’s troubled past, but motivated the students of this fine institution to be builders of the future, rather than dwellers on the past:
“We will not build on the ruins of apartheid, but on the dreams of our children. Their dreams for the future.”
As a university erected in a democratic South Africa, Ramaphosa described the UMP as “a university who’s identity and posture is unashamedly African.” He advised UMP’s students, who he affectionately called his children, to voice their opinions.
“My children, there will always be problems. If you raise your concerns, do so robustly, but in the right manner. And remember: this university is for learning and enrichment. It is not for burning down,” he remarked with a smile.
