The culmination of hard work, sacrifice and dedication marked the end of graduation for 249 students from the Faculty of Management Sciences at the third and final Spring graduation ceremony at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus, yesterday (3 September 2014).
This year, 6474 students obtained their diplomas, degrees, master’s and doctorates at DUT, beating last year’s number of graduates which stood at 5977.

Also signifying the end of graduation was Honorary Doctorate recipient, Don Mkhwanazi, who received an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree in Management Sciences for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa, his prominent role in local and international entrepreneurship as well as his significant commitment to youth and social development.

Later in the evening, the University hosted a celebratory dinner for Mkhwanazi and acclaimed film producer Anant Singh, who earlier also received an Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Design in recognition of his tremendous work in using film in the opposition of apartheid. The dinner was held at the Coastlands on the Ridge (Musgrave). Singh was however not able to attend due to another engagement.

Mkhwanzi gave an impactful speech on the role of education in an economic revolution, adding that the task for them was to make themselves the ‘architects’ of the future. “I admire greatly the work of higher learning institutions in their mission to quench intellectual thirst.

Higher learning institutions have a mammoth task to teach relevant skills and produce graduates that are relevant and ready for the world of work. In the end, it is an extended duty of the institutions of higher learning to make society work. It is for this reason that these institutions are custodians of intellectual human capital development,” he said.

He also spoke about the massive pool of graduates between the ages of 35 to 55 years that are in various management and technical positions. He said these individuals, for various reasons, did not attend tertiary institutions but attended various courses, gaining practical experience on their job experiences.

“Except for the recognition of prior learning, very little is done to convert these people into graduates. We need to look at the American model that assists mature students and adult learners obtain an associate or graduate degree. This route to obtain a degree should only be made available to mature students with a minimum duration of relevant work experience. This is worth consideration,” he said.

Mkhwanzi stressed that for South Africa to realise its full potential, an “economic revolution had to take place”. “Economic revolution means fundamental change in economic power relations. It means the redefinition of economic power relations between the haves and the have-nots.

Each one of us has a critical role to play in advancing the cause of economic revolution. Each one of us has a crucial role in creating a better future for all. The future belongs to those who shape it. The future belongs to those who define it.

Our future is in our hands,” he said.
Mkhwanazi thanked DUT for the honour and recognition bestowed upon him and for recognising homegrown contribution towards the attainment of South Africa’s freedom, adding that the graduates should be proud of themselves. “This special day is the result of your toil and selfless sacrifice, total dedication and investment to a better future not only for your children but South Africa,” he said.

-Waheeda Peters

Pictured: Don Mkhwanazi receives an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree in Management Sciences for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa.