UCT honours Kathrada, Moseneke and Madonsela
STRUGGLE stalwart Ahmed Kathrada praised young graduates at UCT yesterday, downplaying the honorary doctorate awarded to him by the university.
“One is overwhelmed by the reception, but the most inspiring thing was to see the graduates – young, black and female. More than anything else, just to see the future of South Africa,” Kathrada said.
Kathrada, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke were all awarded honorary doctorates by UCT.
The three were given standing ovations when they took to the stage.
“The new South Africa… is in the hands of the young people,” said Kathrada. “From what I see today, we can have all the confidence that the young people are not going to fail us. It is with that message that I am going home.”
Justice Moseneke said it was a privilege and tribute to his office to be awarded the honorary doctorate.
“The Constitutional Court has a very important role in our country, so it’s a recognition. What a privilege, so the honour really is about my day job, waking up to go and make sure our country is truly democratic and free and available, and accessible to all of us,” Moseneke said.
Madonsela said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I consider this an affirmation of the work of the Office of the Public Protector. It’s also a way of saying to the public protector team, ‘the work you are doing is the work that is expected of you by the constitution’.”
UCT vice-chancellor Max Price said the honorary doctorates were awarded to the three to recognise them as individuals who have achieved much and made a contribution to society.
“They represent three people, who at this moment in South Africa’s history, we need to emphasise the importance of the values they stand for,” Price said, adding that the ANC had always been part of Kathrada’s life.