The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Elleck Nchabeleng, has congratulated the University of South Africa (UNISA) on achieving 150 years of operations.

Mr Nchabeleng said it was hard to imagine the struggle for freedom in South Africa without imagining UNISA. Over the years UNISA contributed so immensely to the intellectual aspect of South Africa’s leaders for the liberation of society. Many of our leaders in society today attained greatness owing to the existence of this institution.

“UNISA remains the intellectual bedrock from where South Africans based their struggle, when in fact attending a day university was not possible. Imprisoned leaders could attain quality qualifications and become better leaders,” said Mr Nchabeleng.

UNISA, the only distance-learning university in Africa, celebrates its 150th year of existence this year. This morning celebrations were addressed by the Deputy President, Mr Paul Mashatile, at the university’s main campus in Pretoria.

Mr Nchabeleng said the associations that UNISA has built with such schools as the Thabo Mbeki Leadership Institute should continue and be enhanced. “The university management needs to work hard and change the negativity around the image of the institution and its qualifications. Unisa has produced leaders who went on and distinguished themselves in industry,” emphasised Mr Nchabeleng.

He said there was no reason that could not be continued. “We say Viva Academia to the next150 years of academic excellence and Unisa existence,” added Mr Nchabeleng.

Source: Parliament of South Africa