Pretoria - The centenary of the University of Fort Hare‚ whose alumni has included some of the African sub-continent’s most famous leaders‚ will be celebrated on May 20, government said on Wednesday.
The celebrations to be held in Alice, in the Eastern Cape, will acknowledge the role the university has played in educating Africans. It will celebrate the values and traditions that made the university to be Africa’s most respected institution of higher learning.
“The centenary is a reminder that all higher education institutions must be an extension of our nation’s core values of non‐racialism and non‐sexism,” said acting Director General of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Donald Liphoko.
The event in May will coincide with Africa Month to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity presently known as the Africa Union under the theme, “Building a Better Africa and Better World”.
The AU aims to promote greater unity and solidarity between African countries. It seeks to accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of Africa.
The historic university’s alumni included the likes of late President Nelson Mandela‚ late ANC President Oliver Tambo‚ the late President Sir Seretse Khama of Botswana‚ President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and the late Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhetle.
Well known political struggle stalwards like Govan Mbeki, Oliver Tambo Professor Zachariah Keodirelang "ZK" Matthews, Robert Sobukwe and the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party‚ Mangosuthu Buthelezi‚ also studied at the university.
Government has called on Fort Hare University Alumni and members of the public to share their Fort Hare stories for the Tell Your Story campaign using the hashtag #MyFortHare.
Alumni and members of the public can join the #MyFortHare Tell Your Story campaign by emailing pictures, videos and audio to electronic@gcis.gov.za
Government has begun telling the Fort Hare story on the following platforms: Youtube on the channel GovZA, twitter on @GovernmentZA and on the webpage: www.gov.za since 19 April 2016.
A number of activities will take place throughout the year to mark the centenary celebrations. To keep abreast with these activities follow at @GCISMedia and @SAGovNews. – SAnews.gov.za
