Speaking notes for the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements the Honorable Mrs. Z Fredericks-Kota for the occasion of the Business Breakfast, East London
The Vice Chancellor of Fort Hare, Dr Mvuyo Tom
The MEC for Human Settlements in the province, Ms. H Sauls-August
CEO’s of Housing Institutions
Senior Managers from the private sector
Government officials
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are here to celebrate a very momentous occasion thatis the centenary of the University of Fort Hare. This institution has been the nursery of talent and has produced high caliber leaders for South Africa, Southern African as well as the continent. It would not be appropriate for me to begin recounting the luminaries who have studied within these hallowed hallways as this list is far too extensive and I am bound to omit some of your most illustrious alumni.
Nevertheless, as we reflect on the passage of 100 years of academic excellence, we are filled with a sense of pride, admiration and achievement. The University of Fort Hare has indeed made an in value contribution.However this sense of accomplishment must strengthen our resolve to do more. As we thereforebegin to envision the next 100 years, we are cognizant of the long road which has yet to be travelled.
While the 100 years which we are here to celebrate has been the handy work of the struggle generation, the task at hand is to realistically lay a foundation for the “born free” generation. This is the generation who will craft the next 100 years of Fort Hare.
I believe that the University of Fort Hare has made certain significant and bold strides to adapt the institution to be relevant, responsive and robust in contributing to our democratic order.
One of the ways that the University has adapted is its recent response to my Department of Human Settlements capacity development and professionalisation drive. Here the University of Fort Hare has designed a unique named degree in Human Settlements which has been located in the Faculty of Social Sciences. This is the 4 year professional degree known as the Bachelor of Social Science in Human Settlements. This is a sibling to the Bachelor of Human Settlements Development Degree which is offered by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) located in its Faculty of Built Environment and Information and Technology.
These two degrees have been developed out of a need for a more sustainable human settlements; cities that are well planned, have sound infrastructure are economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally friendly and worthy of political and institutional support, contributing to better living conditions and quality of life for individuals and households, a more proactive Human Settlements Sector and a stable and productive society.
These two qualifications seek to build professional capacity in Human Settlements development and management. In this respect these two institutions are leaders in Human Settlements education and professionalisation, each occupying a unique niche in the built environment and the other in the social sciences.
These qualifications are orientated towards a multidisciplinary education which draws on disciplines beyond the core Human Settlements disciplines of engineering, construction management, and town and regional planning. The curriculum therefore bridges the gap between the applied sciences to the management and social sciences.
Of course we know that in the context of South Africa, that the social sciences should never be dismissed or discarded as secondary because they are core to successful Human Settlements interventions. Human Settlements are designed together with and not for passive citizens. Therefore, educational models which emphasise project management methodologies and participatory planning approaches are both appropriate and valued.
In addition, in a climate where there is rampant service delivery protests we need a new cadre of civil servants who are highly skilled in social facilitation, community based development planning and community engagement. This new cadre which is part of the Human Settlements professional core of the Youth Brigade will be socially conscious, demographically representative, technically competent, globally competitive and most of all responsive to the needs of our citizens. The current cohort of 50 students who have been registered for the 2015 academic year therefore have to be supported.
Professionalisation is not only about opening up new education pathways it is also a process of socialization of young people into the world of work. Today the University of Fort Hare has deliberately assembled CEOs, COOs, DGs, CDs, executive managers and all captains of industry.
The question is what are YOU doing? What could YOU and YOUR organization be doing to support the University of Fort Hare in the next year, the next 10 years, the next 50 years, and the next 100 years. It is against this background then that I wish to challenge everyone in this room to PLEDGE to support a leaner or a faculty, a centre or a project.
Every Human Settlements entity has to respond to this call.
I hereby hand over to the Programme Director to manage the process of the pledges.
I wish to thank you for your contribution in securing the next 100 years of academic excellence at the University of Fort Hare.
