UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE HONORARIUM RING PRESENTATION NEWS

Fort Hare University Honours Mandela And Alumni - BuaNews

July 20, 2006
Posted to the web July 20, 2006

Former president Nelson Mandela, and seven other Fort Hare University alumni have been honoured with golden Honorarium Rings.

The event was held at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, today.

President Thabo Mbeki's late father, Govan Mbeki, was among those who were honoured posthumously. His award was received by his grand-daughter Nobantu Mbeki.

Others honoured posthumously included the African National Congress' renowned former leader Oliver Tambo and the founding father of the Pan African Congress, Reverend Robert Sobukwe.

Four other recipients were Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Professor Ephraim Mokgokong and Reverend Dr Khoza Mgojo.

The University bestowed the golden rings with the aim of strengthening bonds amongst its former students, especially those who took part in South Africa 's struggle for freedom.

The handcrafted rings made by a female-owned jewellery company from Virginia in the Free State, are each topped off with a "discreet diamond".

The event also coincided with the two-week long celebrations of Madiba's 88th birthday, while at the same time marking the 90th Anniversary of Fort Hare University.

Speaking to BuaNews after receiving their awards, the struggle stalwarts and Fort Hare alumni expressed joy at being honoured alongside Madiba.

Dr Buthelezi, who joined the ANC Youth League while studying at the university between 1948 and1950, told BuaNews that the award meant a lot to him "because it brings back sad and interesting memories."

"I am deeply aware of the responsibility this honour entails for me and my fellow recipients," he said, adding that the university had helped them fulfil their dreams.

Concurring with Dr Buthelezi, Dr Mgojo noted that the university had empowered its students to face challenges.

"I feel very humbled to receive this award in such a company of people like Mandela," said Professor Mokgokong.

Dali Tambo, who received the honour on behalf of his father, late Oliver Tambo, said it was befitting for his father to receive such an award "for he was a part of the rare breed of students at that university".

"Dad had exemplified the rare kind of students then, largely because, he and the others studied in a horrible atmosphere ... the facilities of the school at the time were so poor, but all of them emerged with bright brains that today made them warriors," said Mr Tambo.

He urged current students at Fort Hare and elsewhere to take lessons from people of his father's calibre including "Tata Mandela", in moulding their own lives.

Fort Hare Chancellor, Dr Danisa Baloyi, commended the recipients of the award, saying they had all contributed positively to the liberation struggle of the country.

"Today, we celebrate the triumph of the institution that has gone through much to arrive where it is," noted Ms Baloyi.

She further challenged the university's alumni to help raise funds and other resources for the institution.

Dr Baloyi called on businesses and individuals to donate to the university's Centenary Fund, saying her institution was targeting to raise about R100 million for the fund this year.

"I hope that the students of today could learn from giants in their approach to life," said Dr Baloyi.

By Sello Tang