Recognising literary leaders who have done exceptional work during the apartheid regime and honouring their contributions to South Africa’s art field has been part of the reasoning behind DUT conferring two honorary doctorates to two outstanding individuals – Lauretta Ngcobo and Ronnie Govender during today’s (16 April 2014) first graduation ceremony which took place at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus.

Ngcobo was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology in Arts and Design in recognition of her contribution as a literary figure, her exceptional involvement during her political tenure, her leadership involving major enterprises as well as her significant ongoing community engagement efforts focussing on education, literacy and rural development.

Govender, a distinguished playwright, was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology in Arts and Design for his contribution to literature and the arts in general as well as his contribution to democracy, peace and justice in South Africa through theatre.

Ngcobo, who is confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, was most honoured to be at the ceremony. Her daughter, Zabantu Ngcobo, spoke on behalf of her mother (Lauretta), saying that she (Lauretta) was extremely honoured to be given such recognition for her work and reiterated that although her mother could not speak at the event, she had set out to achieve whatever she had wanted to. “If she had to go back in time she would do it all over again,” said Zabantu.

Govender was equally honoured for being recognised for his work. He said he is humbly indebted to DUT for recognising his efforts.

At the ceremony, five students graduated with Master of Technology degrees, one of them being 59-year-old Yvonne Kaplan who also graduated cum laude in Fashion, saying that it was never too late to study. “I’m so emotional right now, I’ve been crying the whole time, but I am so proud of myself too. It took a lot of hard work to get to this point. I’m so loyal to DUT. I studied fashion design in the 90s and I wanted to come back. This is not the end for me as I want to continue my studies and do my Doctorate as well,” she said. Kaplan said her achievement would not have been possible without the help of her lecturers, supervisors and librarians who were ‘angels from heaven’. Without them she would have never been able to do her research, she said. “I’m currently involved in fashion entrepreneurship and believe this is such an important aspect in South Africa, as we need to supply coaching and support to these students and encourage entrepreneur development in our country,” she added.

Striving to create leaders is what DUT is all about. A total of 5493 students will graduate during the current graduation ceremonies which end today (16 April 2014). These students are now part of the ‘working world,’ hoping to make their own legacies and dreams come true.

Ensuring that students graduated without any hitches was a mammoth task which would not have been possible without the hard work of dedicated DUT staff and volunteer students. From making sure the hall was always spick and span, ensuring graduate booklets were placed timeously on chairs for the guests at every session and testing audio visual equipment before and after every graduation ceremony has been no easy feat which would not have been possible without the sheer hard work and dedication of these DUT staff and student volunteers who sacrificed their time, working from 7am to 9pm daily for five days. The culmination of these special partnerships and commitment is what DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed Bawa has reiterated makes DUT so special.

“It is a partnership which is built from respect for one another, a partnership that is built over many centuries, and each interaction between student and lecture helps to contribute to the development of the academic enterprise. Without such a partnership between student and academic, teaching and research just cannot happen. We have developed the tools for lifelong learning. In many respects we shall be passing along the baton to you through this ceremony. Striving to create leaders is what DUT is all about and has achieved after 5493 students have now graduated from DUT. They are now part of the ‘working world,’ hoping to make their own legacies and dreams come true,” he said.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The total cost of equipment used for graduation is approximately R500 000.

– Waheeda Peters

Pictured: Lauretta Ngcobo (in the red gown)