The Durban University of Technology held a celebratory dinner at the Durban ICC in honour of Dr Ahmed Kathrada, on Friday, 22 April 2016.

The gala dinner, which was held to celebrate the honorary doctorate which was conferred to Ahmed Kathrada, for his contribution to literature.

Dr Kathrada was honoured with the honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree during the Faculty of Arts & Design’s graduation ceremony at the Fred Crookes sport centre on Friday and later on a gala dinner was held to celebrate the new addition to the DUT family.

Extending his gratitude and highlighting the importance of education, Dr Kathrada shared about moments they were imprisoned at Robben Island with other struggle icons and how education and leadership instilled their hope of being free one day. “While we were in prison our leadership skills were tested but most of all we focused our energy in studying as much as we can instead of wasting our energies on revenge. There were however prisoners who did not register with a college or University but took it upon themselves to engage in informal studies. Sometimes other prisoners who were Doctors and Lawyers would help those who cannot afford formal education,” said Dr Kathrada.

Further elaborating on the importance of education, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT, Professor Ahmed Bawa, shared the experiences of his time at DUT and how the students had motivated him. “The last five and half years have been the most amazing years of my life. The greatest thing about DUT is its students. DUT’s throughput rate is high compared to other universities despite the challenges it faces. Majority of our students, being at University for them is their one chance of getting out of poverty and getting into the middle class. There is definitely something about our students that make me not have any concerns about their future, they are strong and intellectually sharp and most of that does not come from reading but there is like an edge that they come with University,” shared Prof Bawa.

Thanking both ‘Ahmeds’ for their contribution to society and the community of DUT, Chancellor Judge Vuka Tshabalala said the moment was a reflection of excellence and service. “It is with great pleasure that I thank Dr Kathrada for accepting this gesture from DUT, he couldn’t have chosen a better University to associate with.  As Chancellor, I want to thank you both for the leadership roles you have played in the country and in the University.  In Prof Bawa’s term the university has resolved to a highly respected institute and I wish to thank him for his contribution and dedication,” said Judge Tshabalala.

Pictured: Neeshan Balton (Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Director), Dr Ahmed Kathrada and Professor Ahmed Bawa.

Noxolo Memela