The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) first in-person graduation since 2019 was off to a good start.

The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) first in-person graduation since 2019 is off to a good start. More than 4000 students are set to graduate at 10 ceremonies this week, including UWC Rugby Captain Lyle Hendricks, who received his Bachelor of Arts degree on Monday morning. After the ceremony, he headed across campus to meet up with his teammates ahead of a make-or-break FNB Varsity Cup clash against the Central University of Technology (CUT).
 
Also in attendance at the first ceremony was Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela and his mother Nica Manamela. His daughter Surprice Mashadi Hafane also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. “Our first graduation ceremony after two years of lockdown! What a joyous moment! What an unbelievable feeling to once again stand in front of a graduating class. In the depths of our despair over the last two years, we have prayed and hoped to know this moment again, to experience this again. I believe on a day like today; our graduands should feel like they’ve just reached the top of a very steep mountain. They are indeed a very special group, being the first graduands in two years to have the honour to graduate in person,” said UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius.
 
“It’s been a tough few years, and I am very appreciative of the many sacrifices they and their loved ones have made to ensure they are here today. I want to acknowledge the parents, guardians and loved ones of our students. I salute your dedication and support to your charges. During normal times that support was invaluable. However, given the consequences of this pandemic and the impact on learning, your support and love carried them to this moment. You share in their achievements.”
  See gallery of the first ceremony below. All images, courtesy Ruvan Boshoff - UWC Media.