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SPEECH BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AT THE INSTALLATION OF DR. MAMPHELA
RAMPHELE AS VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

Cape Town, 11 October 1996

Vice-Chancellor;
Distinguished guests;
Members of the
University;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to share in this historic event in the life of a great
institution. The installation of a university vice-chancellor is always an
occasion of great moment. At an institution like the University of Cape Town -
our oldest university and a world-renowned centre of learning and science - it
evokes both the enduring character of the university and the constant renewal of
scholarship and scientific inquiry.

This evening's ceremony has additional significance. Dr. Mamphela Ramphele is
a South African of exceptional talent, ability and stature. With such a person
at its helm, the University of Cape Town can face the future with confidence.
The nation can rest assured that one of its foremost institutions of higher
learning will continue to prosper and serve with excellence as we enter the new
century.

However, we would not want to hide the special satisfaction caused by the
fact that the new vice-chancellor at our premier university is a woman and
black. South Africans tonight joyously celebrate this affirmation of the quality
of our diversity and the strength of our unity.

On a personal note: the pride we all share is amplified for me by my special
personal relationship with your new vice-chancellor. Mamphela is a daughter and
friend to me, and you will understand my special pride and joy.

Dr. Ramphele's assumption of this high and prestigious office writes a
significant chapter in our society's transformation, and so it may be
appropriate to reflect on the important concept of transformation.

Our political transition paved the way for the still greater task of
transforming social institutions in order to build the new society of which we
speak and dream. Some of our universities took the lead in articulating the
concept of institutional transformation, and seeking to give it content. So it
is not surprising that university transformation remains such a visible and
topical aspect of our changing society.

Institutional transformation requires the changing of structures. What we
celebrate tonight does, however, remind us that the quality of an institution,
and the efficacy of change, go beyond structure and form. The quality and
calibre of the people who are involved and who give leadership are decisive for
how well and how excellently the transformed institution is equipped to serve
its social purpose.

Universities are essential in the preparation of highly skilled leadership
throughout society. Our country desperately needs its universities to perform
that function. Our development depends on our having skilled people in
leadership positions. Selfish and self-serving individualism is not what we are
seeking to promote; but we also cannot evade individual responsibility for
achieving excellence. We do know that many South Africans battle against great
odds; that many have to study, teach and research under conditions that are far
from ideal. Transformation, however, also includes making the most of the
limited opportunities available. It can never mean suspending the striving for
quality and excellence until ideal conditions are achieved.

Dr Ramphele and others like her are powerful role models in this regard. They
exemplify struggle against adversity combined with personal responsibility for
self-development. Tonight we can savour the fruits of that individual
responsibility.

One sometimes gets the impression that the nation-wide debate and struggle
over university transformation concentrate too much on governance and governance
structures.

Both the values we hold dear and the effective functioning of institutions
require that all sectors of the university should be properly represented in
structures taking decisions that affect them.

We do, however, also need to hear with equal urgency the debates on other
aspects of change. At the heart of efforts to transform universities are issues
of curriculum. The nation would be heartened to see teachers and students come
together to explore such questions as: how we ensure quality education while
broadening access in a situation of limited resources; how we harness modern
communications and information technology in higher education: what is to be
done to ensure an accelerated output of quality graduates in science and
technology; how universities can contribute to general literacy and numeracy in
our country; what are the research tasks of the universities given the changed
national needs and priorities.

The University of Cape Town has long occupied a leadership position in
science and higher education. And it has been well served by its leaders. The
impact of its immediate past vice-chancellor, Dr. Stuart Saunders, on higher
education will be felt far into the future. It is a tribute to the institution
that it could select from within its own ranks a successor of equal excellence.

The process of selection also showed the university in an exemplary light.
The process - which we all could follow - was inclusive and respectful of the
rights of all its constituent parts; it was, moreover, marked by an integrity
and dignity which did the institution proud. Universities are social communities
and collegial associations but they are also, and essentially so, institutions
of specialised expertise. By finding a balance between inclusive consultation
and participation on the one hand, and the maintenance of respect for
specialised competencies on the other, such an institution safeguards its
integrity and retains the confidence of the larger public.

Mr. Chancellor, allow me to conclude by extending our congratulations and
warmest best wishes to Dr. Ramphele on this marvelous achievement. She must know
how proud we all are. We wish her well, confident that she will continue to
serve with the excellence to which we have become accustomed.

And we wish the University of Cape Town well. May it grow from strength to
strength. May it continue to give leadership and to provide the leaders our
country needs for the next century.

Thank you.

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