New Vice Chancellor for University of Cape Town

I returned to Cape Town not only to see my father who has been ill, but also to accept the invitation to attend the installation ceremony of one of my closest friends Dr Max Price as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town.

The university and national anthems were followed by Act 1 from Don Giovanni performed by The South African College of Music. The lead tenor was quite remarkable.

A posthumous doctorate was bestowed on Professor Archie Mafele. The university (and the new VC) publicly apologised to the family for their sins of commission and omission. The family graciously accepted the apology. Then the VC was capped and gowned by Chancellor Graca Machel, wife of Nelson Mandela. There was a sense of real joy as Max was applauded as he signed his name in the University Book in front of a capacity crowd filled with dignitaries in Jameson Hall.

Max gave a superb speech which was insightful and provided Cape Town with his vision for the university’s future. His hope is that UCT develops into an ‘Afropolitan’ centre of academia, which rises to the African continent’s challenge and competes with other world-class universities. He identified major themes such as: structure and governance, the university’s ecclesiastical lineage, the essence of a university and continuity in higher centres of learning. He also identified specific issues, which he believed to be a threat to South Africa – the fragile democracy and constitutionalism, HIV/AIDS and TB, violent crime and the failing public school system.

The Minister of Education Ms Naledi Pandor provided her reply. The Chancellor, who enthused about Max’s hopes and vision, then gave a gem of a speech of thanks. A great lady.

The congregation was then dissolved. This was followed by a party for the VC at Baxter Hall.

The following evening a private party was held at the Vice Chancellor’s residence.

What an honour to be invited to such an auspicious occasion!