Nelson Mandela, a Unisa alumnus who graduated while at Robben Island, became the first president of democratic South Africa.
If you were old enough to remember, you will never forget the image of millions of South Africans who queued for hours all over the country to cast their vote in the country’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994. As the 19th anniversary of the day that South Africa became a democracy approaches, there will be much reflection on the democratic gains or losses of that period, and the road that led the country to that point and beyond. As the University of South Africa, the role that this university has played in that journey has to be emphasised and acknowledged as we prepare to celebrate Freedom Day.
Freedom Day 2013 is a special one for Unisa as the university not only celebrates providing quality education to South Africans, but also celebrates 140 years of doing so. Even when most avenues of study were closed to the majority of South Africans, Unisa ensured there was still one road to higher learning. Famous struggle heroes, as well as many other unsung heroes who sacrificed their freedom, were able to pursue higher learning through Unisa. Armed with knowledge, they then went on to become leaders who influenced the kind of transformation required for this country – some of them continue to do so even today.
Such leaders include, amongst others, ZK Matthews, who assisted in drawing up the Freedom Charter in 1955, Unisa’s current Chancellor, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, who was a member of the committee that drafted the Constitution in 1996, and Nelson Mandela, a Unisa alumnus who graduated while at Robben Island and became the first president of a democratic South Africa.
 Zachariah Keodirelang (ZK) Matthews who assisted in drawing up the Freedom Charter in 1955. |
 Unisa Chancellor Judge Bernard Ngoepe was a member of the committee that drafted the Constitution in 1996. |
As Unisa acknowledges 140 years of shaping futures in Africa this year, it also celebrates its future where it aims to be a leading global centre of excellence in science and research, and a university that continues to produce adept graduates who can lead the country and continent in development and transformation. Unisa’s Freedom Day celebrations therefore acknowledge its remarkable contributions to South Africa while simultaneously honouring the road to democracy.
Celebrations begin on Friday, when the university hosts a public dialogue on the Freedom Charter as a living document. Panellists participating in the dialogue include former Minister in the Presidency, Dr Essop Pahad, Unisa Professor, Raymond Suttner, former Minister of Justice, Brigitte Mabandla, and Jabulani Sithole who will focus on youth and the Freedom Charter.
As the struggle for freedom reached a new intensity in the early fifties, there was a need for a clear statement on the future of South Africa. The idea of a Freedom Charter was born, and the Congress of the People Campaign was initiated. Read more at SA History
The dialogue accompanies a multimedia musical production, Credo: A musical testament to the Freedom Charter, based on a text from the Freedom Charter. The oratorio, commissioned by Unisa, was composed by Bongani Ndodana and is a captivating musical expression that echoes the social vision enshrined in the Freedom Charter. Through Credo, Unisa is also prompting society to engage in a conversation about the values embodied in this historic declaration.
In addition to the festivities of Credo, Unisa will on Saturday, together with the South African Democracy Education Trust (SADET), Nedbank and MTN, host the launch of the fifth and sixth volumes of The Road to Democracy in South Africa. Thabo Mbeki, former South African President and Patron of Unisa’s Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI), will deliver the keynote address. South African Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe will also attend the book launch and receive the two volumes on behalf of the government.
The Road to Democracy series is a chronological analysis of four decades of South African history: Volume 1 covers the events spanning 1960 to 1970; Volume 2 deals with the years between 1970 and 1980; Volume 3 focuses on international solidarity; and Volume 4 covers the period from 1980 to 1990. Volume 5 focuses on African solidarity; and Volume 6 (in two volumes) covers the period between 1990 and 1996.
* Article by Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester
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