Palpable excitement as Unisa’s spring graduations commence

The start of the #UnisaGraduations2022 #circleofexcellence spring graduations on 04 October saw a colourful assembly of graduates, and their families, in an atmosphere filled with ululations, boisterous excitement and cheers.

Former First Lady of the Republic of South Africa, Mrs Prudence Zerah Motlanthe, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Human Sciences

The ZK Matthews Great Hall at the university’s main campus was filled with graduates from all walks of life, dressed in graduation regalia, some adorned with traditional beadwork jewellery.

The third session of the spring graduations, with took place at 18:00, saw two former Presidents of the Republic of South Africa present in one sitting – Dr Thabo Mbeki, also the university’s Chancellor, and the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe. Motlanthe was there to support his wife and Former First Lady of the Republic of South Africa, Mrs Prudence Zerah Motlanthe, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Human Sciences. Mrs Motlanthe is also a former Unisa Student Representative Council member.

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, addressing graduates

In her opening remarks Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa said: “As an academic institution that always strives for excellence, we take pride in training people who will go out to shape Africa’s intellectual futures in the service of humanity. Your achievements only enhance what you already are and what you can become. As such, your graduation is but one important leap, a giant leap indeed. A brighter future awaits you all!”

Graduates in their own words

Kwara Kekana, from Limpopo, completed her Honours in Development Studies at the College of Human Sciences. Kekana said: “This is a pandemic degree. It was a difficult one. Coming from the health sector I have gained a lot of skills and knowledge in this area of development studies. I will take some of the content from this degree and use it in the health space.”

School of Business Leadership Master of Business Leadership graduate Maranda Kenneth Orando, a Ugandan citizen based in Botswana, said: “It really stretched me because I come from an accounting family. I was more interested in deepening and broadening an avenue of skillsets that encompass business leadership.”

Sone De Nysschen, who received a BCom in Financial Accounting from the College of Accounting Sciences, said: “I am grateful that its finally done. I’ve been doing this degree for quite some time. I’m grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to see where this qualification will lead.”

Annie Bezuidenhout (right), who came all the way from the Northern Cape, received a Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Management. “This qualification means a lot to me because I have been a teacher for 26 years” she said.

Read also: Spring is in the air, and so are graduations at Unisa!


*By Godfrey Madibane, Unisa Radio Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement