The University of the Free State conferred six honorary doctorates during its April 2022 graduation ceremonies. Two of these were conferred at the Qwaqwa Campus ceremonies on 29 and 30 April to
Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa and justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, and
Ms Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A champion for social justice, Byanyima was honoured with a Doctor of Letters (DLitt [h.c.]) during the afternoon session on 30 April. Elected for three terms and serving for eleven years in parliament, Ms Byanyima led Uganda’s first parliamentary
women’s caucus, championing ground-breaking gender equality provisions in the county’s 1995 post-conflict constitution. She is also significantly involved in efforts to end the Aids epidemic in Africa.
Addressing graduates during her acceptance speech, Byanyima said it was education that enabled her to leave her small rural village in Uganda to serve on national and global platforms.
“But that power that education has given me never makes me proud in itself. It makes me responsible for what I must do to uplift others, to make this world equal and just. My pride is in what I am able to do with others in order to make the world
more just. The qualifications are mere tools to achieve a purpose.”
Byanyima challenged students to be proud South Africans who embrace and serve the continent. Go out there, knowing that we have one history as a continent, and we have one destiny as a continent. And serve your continent and make the most of it.
“Across the continent and across the world, South Africa has been a beacon for movements that are joined up, resisting racial inequality, embracing gender equality, and embracing equality for LGBTQ people. It is these inclusions that make a world
free. So, continue to be that beacon – as a country and as a student and alumni community. Challenge stigmatisation, challenge criminalisation. Use the power that your education has given you. Use it to demand
accountability and rights
for yourselves and for others.”
UFS a crucible for formation of young people
Likewise, Justice Moseneke was anchored on hard work, dedication, and honesty and fidelity being the driving tools for making society better. Justice Moseneke received a Doctor of Laws (LLD [h.c.]) during the afternoon session on 29 April. He was recognised
for his vast contribution to the legal fraternity over the past 40 years. This is his 14th honorary doctorate.
“We may not desecrate these high and noble aspirations at the altar of power, greed, and self-importance. We have to create that idealised just and equal society, and national treasures like the University of the Free State sit at the heart
of that historic project.”
Justice Moseneke said the UFS remained an indispensable crucible for the formation of young people, and therefore of the future.
“The most powerful tool for transforming society is excellent education and training. It is a lie that mere numbers and populism will make our world better. Those who are bent on changing society need exact and appropriate skills to accomplish
that – not bombast. It is right to bemoan a difficult past. But it is even better to harness past anguish in the service of a progressive future.
Watch recording of the Graduation ceremony below: