Unisa online - Unisa, South Africa and Africa destined for greatness

No university succeeds on its own, but through the good deeds, efforts and generosity of its alumni, donors and contributors said Unisa Principal and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barney Pityana as he welcomed esteemed guests to the annual Chancellor’s Gala Dinner. Held on 26 October 2010 at the Es’kia Mphahlele Registration Hall, the Dinner was one of elegance and a night where the best of what Unisa has to offer was acknowledged.

Prof. Pityana said the night was to honour alumni who have made a mark in public life. He said the Dinner was a celebration of the work that has been done and an event of great thanksgiving to acknowledge the great year and what Unisa has accomplished. He also said as the new year approaches and as Prof. Mandla Makhanya’s time to take over the reign as Principal and Vice- Chancellor draws closer, Unisa should look forward to the greatness that lies in the year ahead.

Chancellor of Unisa, the Honourable Judge President Bernard Ngoepe said the Gala Dinner and awards were hosted to acknowledge and honour those whose contributions and dedication have contributed to furthering the goals and aspirations of the Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations and by extension, Unisa.

“I can for example tell you with some pleasure and pride, the Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations has managed to accumulate and amount of R780 000 in the Chancellor’s Club Fund, and that the Unisa Foundation Board of Trustees has resolved that 60% of this amount, that is R462 000, will be earmarked for postgraduate bursaries.”  

He congratulated the 2010 Unisa Chancellor’s Calabash recipients, Dr Solomon Matseke who was acknowledged as an outstanding educator, for his lifelong contribution in the field of education; Ms Edna Freinkel, for her outstanding contributions to teacher training and literacy in South Africa and the world; and Ms Dawn Marole for her outstanding contributions to society.

Keynote speaker, CEO of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Organising Committee, Dr Danny Jordaan, said he was happy and honoured to be amongst the men and women who have made an excellent contribution to education in Africa. He then addressed guests on the journey of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup and on the ups and downs associated with the planning and preparations.

He said never in the history of this world cup had there ever been a Plan B, except when South Africa won the right to host the beautiful game. He said everyone around the world had doubted that the country and continent would be ready to host a world class event. However, they were proved wrong, and South Africa hosted the best world cup ever.  

“This was the first world cup that was viewed in high definition TV, in 3D, live matches were viewed on mobile phones and for the first time there were international fan parks…and this world cup has generated for FIFA the highest revenue ever and people said that if the world cup came to Africa, FIFA would be bankrupt,” he added.

He said there are lessons in the achievements of this world cup and all South Africans and Africans should learn from them. “We should just focus on accepting the abilities and capabilities that we have. I very often feel as a country we can see the bright lights of where we must go. We understand the challenges and difficulties and so it’s not a time for doubt and hesitation in where we are going. We have come too far to turn back and no-one is going to stop us from making this country great and a place for everyone.”