Vice-Chancellor, Dr Max Price;
The rest of the university leadership;
SRC President;
Academic staff;
Graduating students;
Parents;
Members of the media;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen
I am deeply honoured to be part of this prestigious event at the University of Cape Town this morning. I thank the University leadership for this opportunity.
One of the most beautiful things about graduation is the proud and content look on the faces of the parents and grandparents. To them their finest hour will always be hearing your name being called and watching you as you gracefully walk on stage. All they have yearned for was this moment, not your first cheque, just the satisfaction of a job well done by them as parents or grandparents.
I recall that my mother always expressed the last item on her bucket list as my youngest sibling’s graduation and she did die shortly after my youngest sibling, my sister Sizakele Madonsela got her degree from this university. Sadly she did not get to sit in a room like this to savour the moment.
I know most of you do not have grandparents as many are not graduating for the first time.
To the graduates, graduation time is both an exciting time and scary time. Some of you are stepping into a new unknown world whether you already have a job or still looking, you are bound to be apprehensive as you are not certain about what the future holds. It is a different world from the one you are used to.
I was preparing this speech when I was reminded of a story of a student from this university and this very faculty, who became a household name two years ago for his thoughtful innovation.
Ludwick Marishane invented DryBath, a hygienic product that is said to leave consumers with a fresh feeling as though they took a shower without having set foot in the shower.
What is interesting is that the idea came about one of Ludwick's childhood friends, who was not only lazy to bathe but lacked hot water during winter seasons too.
I understand DryBath has since gone commercial and is a well sought-after product by, among others, big time airlines across the world, who see it as a potentially convenient product for their long-distance passengers.
I also understand this has earned the 24 year old Ludwick world recognition. He reportedly scooped Global Student Entrepreneur Award for 2011, among other accolades, for his contribution to the global hygiene industry. He is eyeing another award this year.
To those who do not know what the future holds – it is said necessity if the mother of all inventions.
Looking at all of you this morning, I see more inspirational stories waiting to be told. When I learned that I would be delivering a graduation address at a graduation ceremony of students from the Faculty of Commerce, I thought 'what a coincidence'!
I am told this is a business school and so many are graduating with degrees in commerce. You graduate at the time when some economists forecast a bleak economic outlook for the country.
The World Bank, this week, revised South Africa’s economic growth forecast for 2014 to 2% from an earlier forecast of 2.7%.
This is certainly not good news for an economy that should be creating enough jobs for our youth so that we can deal with the challenges of poverty and inequality.
This is where you come in. The industries in which you will soon be plying your trade form part of the bedrock of our economy. Your country needs your brains now, more than ever before to come up with up innovative solutions to our economic problems, just as Ludwick did.
Your country needs your brains and innovation. You are the ones we have been waiting for. The South Africa you yearn for lies in your hands. This includes contribution at policy-making and technical aspects whether in the public or private spheres.
One of Chinese proverbs sees crisis in two ways, opportunity and business. Most of the time we tend to sit and blame others for the problems that we have.
Often young professionals tend to shun the public sector, opting for the corporate world. There is nothing wrong with this. However, there is something wrong when we then blame the government when our economy battles to keep afloat.
While it is well and good to be in the private sector, do consider the public sector as government needs your innovative brains to provide solutions to the problems that have given rise to the economic challenges we are experiencing. It is no use pointing fingers from the sidelines when you could be offering solutions from within.
Ladies and gentlemen;
You gather here this morning, coming from contrasting backgrounds. Some of you come from humble beginnings while others were born to families that are blessed with abundance. That is what education is, it is the great leveller of playing fields. Your future should not be determined by your background. You stand here today as equals, ready to earn your stripes through hard work you put in over the years.
This goes to show that as, human beings, our circumstances do not and should not have to define us and determine our destinies. If anything, they should give us that one push to help us pursue our dreams undeterred.
After all, there are roses that have been known to bloom from concrete. Your own Ludwick comes from a poverty-stricken township of Motetema in Limpopo and rose to become a household name, earning the praise of global business men and women.
You also have what it takes to make a meaningful contribution to our world. You represent the cream of the crop. You are the seeds off whom South Africa will and should feed for generations to come.
Wherever you will be planted, as you set out into the unknown, remember that, in life, there are certain realities. One of those realities is that success doesn’t come overnight. In other words, the terrain you are about to traverse will not be an easy one.
At times you will have to make compromises. Talking of compromises, today I had to make a compromise. I was supposed to be speaking at a function in the Department of Justice. They are having a farewell function for the former Minister of Justice. I know the new Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv. Masutha, he is a principled person. He does not say and do things just to be noticed. His words and actions are based on principles.
I also respect the outgoing Minister, Mr Jeff Radebe. He handled things with respect and dignity. He remained a minister without having to compromise principles.
We learned from our late former President, Nelson Mandela, that: "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." He also said that: "It always seems impossible until it is done."
Some of you will struggle to find your ideal opportunities. Do not despair. Get on the available track while you wait your turn to live your dreams. Turn that track into a springboard to reach for the stars, giving others a path and a mission to follow.
As you get to the top today, feeling elated, you are starting another climb, stay on track and follow your dream.
As you prepare to enter the job market, I want to say to you: let the seed in you sprout for your country. Let the flower in you bloom for your communities. Spread your wings and soar like an eagle; the world is yours. You have already given others permission to dream and succeed. Many of the difficulties will make you stars for others to follow.
Thank you.
