UWC officially starts its academic year
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) commenced its first official orientation day on Tuesday, 9 February 2016 with an impressive turnout. With close to 4000 accepted first year students, the proud families of the elated students gathered on campus to hear the institution’s leadership address them for the first time.
On her first visit to any higher education institution, unemployed Khayelitsha mother, Nokulunga Moli, accompanied her 19-year-old daughter, Lonalinamandla Moli, who has enrolled to obtain a Law degree. “All I wish for my daughter is that she never forgets where she comes from, as she is about to start a new life where she makes us as a family really proud,” said Nokulunga. Lonalinamandla will be the first person in her family’s generation to attend university.
Addressing parents, Chairman of the University’s Council, Mthunzi Mdwaba, highlighted
UWC’s often overlooked achievements.
UWC is impressively ranked fifth nationally and seventh within the continent. An extended call to successful alumni to dig into their pockets and support deserving students was a reiterated focus for all those who addressed the parents and students.
“We have nurtured and trained a number of leaders in spite of apartheid and being branded as a ‘bush’ university,” he said. “We share a pedigree, heritage and culture of having pulled ourselves by our own bootstraps to become one of the foremost universities in this country”.
With UWC having an internationally recognisable influence through their research and innovation work, the University produces close to 50% of the continent’s dentists.
18-year-old S’thembiso Zibane from Mahlabathini in KwaZulu Natal was impressed by the Dentistry faculty’s reputation, which influenced his decision to enroll in the programme. “I chose to study here because growing up in rural KZN I have always wanted to change the lives of those within my community - and I believe that I can do that through dentistry,” he said.
Having received financial aid assistance, S’thembiso, like his older brother - an alumnus who received a BCom accounting qualification from UWC - is excited by the opportunities presented to him by the University.
Chairman of Council Speech.
President of the SRC Orientation Speech.
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