As Unisa celebrates 140 years of excellence, the mace too is celebrated as an integral part of the institution’s heritage.
The academic opening of the University of South Africa is always filled with excitement as office bearers, council, staff, students and honoured guests convene under one roof to start the year on a positive note. Of particular significance is the Unisa mace, an official symbol of the institution’s academic authority and status. As Unisa celebrates 140 years of excellence, the mace too is celebrated as an integral part of the institution’s heritage.
In 2008 then-Registrar, Prof Louis Molamu, led the procession at the academic opening and became the first bearer of the mace. Representing Unisa’s aspirations as a credible, historic academic institution, the mace is met with much acclaim, marking, as it does, another stage in the continuous branding of the new Unisa.
Originally a deadly club-like weapon, the mace evolved into a symbol of authority. It was borne ceremonially as a staff of office and universities began using a mace for ceremonial occasions in the fifteenth century. Since then it has been a sign of educational tradition and distinction. Universities throughout the world take great pride in their own particular mace, each designed with rich symbolism and history relating to the specific institution.
Designed by Clive van den Berg, a noted artist, curator, designer, writer and teacher, Unisa’s mace captures the very essence and core values of the university. The mission and vision of the university are proudly represented in the symbols etched on this mace: towards the African university in the service of humanity.
Unisa’s crest is alive with the flames, calabash, tusks and waves incorporated into the design of the mace. The semi-precious stones set into the shaft are a depiction of the wealth to be found in the colleges chosen to offer programmes of learning.
In the spirit of excellence, authority and leadership, and the forging of a new identity, Unisa’s magnificent mace gives this institution and its community every reason to feel proud.
*Written by Kirosha Naicker
