Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela has thanked the generous givers that have heeded her call to donate to her office’s #FeesMustFall Fund after corporates and individuals pledged a sum of R640 000 towards the social investment initiative.
Two weeks ago, the Public Protector pledged R15 000.00 towards the fund with the hope that the gesture would encourage many in corporate South Africa to follow suite and make a difference, putting previously disadvantaged students through university.
On Friday 07 October 2016, Adv. Madonsela topped up the amount with a R5 000 she was given at the International Anglicans Ablaze Conference to donate to a charity of her choice which brought the Public Protector Pledge to R20 000.
The latest pledges came from the Chairman of AngloGold Ashanti Mr. Sipho Pityana, who donated R300 000. Liberty Corporate also donated R300 000. Former Black Management Forum President Nolitha Fakude donated R40 000. The pledges were made on Friday night at the BMF's 40th Year Anniversary dinner in Midrand.
Expressing gratitude to the givers, Adv. Madonsela said the contributions would go a long way in ensuring that it caters for the needy students who continue to struggle with university fees.
She lauded the contributors, saying their decision to concern themselves with the problems experienced by many students in tertiary institutions across the country was an indication that they understood that as a society we were on the same boat and that as long as there was injustice somewhere, there could never be sustainable peace anywhere.
The Public Protector said the gesture should be a motivation to others to join in and play their part in contributing towards a lasting solution to the crisis that has engulfed higher institutions of learning in recent years.
The Public Protector SA is making use of its Corporate Social Initiative Fund that was created from donations and prize money received as part of accolades awarded to Adv. Madonsela as Public Protector over the years. She commended the BMF for tirelessly advocating for an economy where there is recognition that excellence has no colour, gender or other form of human diversity, while being exemplary regarding black excellence.
Turning to the BMF on its 40th anniversary, Adv. Madonsela focused her message on the role played by the organisation regarding the struggle to ensure that black people were not excluded from management purely on the grounds of colour and that when space was opened for black managers, their excellence was affirmed.
She applauded the BMF for its contribution to the Constitution-making process, the Employment Equity Act and the establishment for the Commission for Employment Equity. Applauding the BMF on their stance to advance Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), Adv. Madonsela warned against focusing only on BEE, arguing that a similar energy should be directed towards ensuring that the Equality Act was fully implemented.
The Public Protector has consistently opined that the full implementation of Chapter 5 of the Act would have immensely contributed towards resolving some of the social injustices that continue to cause problems in the country.
She said neglecting that part of the Act was against the spirit of the Constitution and the society it sought to build to such an extent that 21 years into democracy, there were still students who slept in university bathrooms and libraries because they could not afford accommodation fees.
Adv. Madonsela said these challenges called for a collaborated effort by all sectors, warning that leaving it to certain individuals to act was against the notion that sought to encourage every citizen to ensure that the country’s boat did not sink.
She also said the challenges faced by the country, continent and the world call for Ethical, Purposeful, Impactful and Committed (EPIC) Leadership which she said has always been the foundation of the BMF. She praised the BMF pioneers for emphasizing ethical leadership and inculcating a culture of principle centred leadership among its members and leaders of the organisation.
She concluded her address by thanking the BMF and its chapters for the support it has provided to her personally and to the Public Protector as an institution over the last seven years. The Public Protector encouraged the organisation to continue in the partnership for good governance with the Public Protector.
The Public Protector also wished the BMF a long life of excellence and strengthened contribution to the paradigm of excellence without colour and ensuring that black empowerment contributes to sustainable start-up businesses and related job creation.
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
