The Chancellor of the University of Venda
Chairperson of the University Council
The Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UniversityDeputy Vice-Chancellors
The University Registrar
Deans of Faculties and Schools
Senior Management of the University
University Professors, staff and students represented
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Mr Chancellor
On behalf of the Premier of the Government of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale the Limpopo Executive Council and the total Leadership of the African National Congress, we wish Professor Peter Mbati well in his position as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Venda. The government of Limpopo’s expectation is that of a close working relationship with the University of Venda in confronting challenges of poverty, illiteracy, landlessness and ignorance. The new government of the ANC continues to spread the message of “together we can do more”.
Mr Chancellor, We are meeting today during a time of the year when government is investing time to plan and reflect on new programs, policies, regulation and strategies to bring service delivery to the benefit of ordinary South Africans and live up to the mandate bestowed on us by the voters.
We are also experiencing an economic recession that will compound the challenges of development at hand. An opportunity exists for all of us to search for alternatives in our natural resource base for an economic recovery in the context of the failure of the mining sector and other manufacturing related industries. These challenges demands an unusual approach in the manner in which we conduct our business as an institution of higher learning and government.
Mr Chancellor, in wishing the Vice Chancellor and the university well in the future, these challenges which confronts our economy requires a holistic approach inclusive of high level training, research, investment in infrastructure, and material support to our communities. The university should work closely with government to service communities with relevant information used in the development of new technologies, which is essential for education and local innovation.
In the rise of the knowledge based industry, human knowledge has become the most important raw material. Operational ownership of knowledge, such as having a skilled research and development workforce is as valuable today as metal and oil were in the industrialised society. The path to the latest knowledge driven market is paved with access to the latest knowledge within certain key areas.
The government of Limpopo will continue to support your mandate to teach, research and community engagement. We urge you to strengthen your Rural Enterprise Development and Poverty Eradication thrust in your teaching, research and community development so that we can better respond to challenges of rural development as a country.
I thank you.
Source: Limpopo Department of Agriculture
