We are proud of you

On the penultimate day of the April graduation season, a further 162 graduands from the Faculty of Commerce received their UCT degrees.

Following the academic procession – which was accompanied into Memorial Hall by the sounds of Blackroots Marimba – Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning Associate Professor Lis Lange welcomed and congratulated the candidates and their families.

“Graduations are important rights of passage in the life of our students,” she said.

“You, our students, have finished what you set out to achieve. And in many cases, you have achieved it against all odds: personal, social and historical. For this, you, and all of those who have accompanied you in this journey, deserve congratulations.”

Graduands and their families were treated to a performance by students from the South African College of Music.

Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, who sang Giacomo Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro” (Oh My Dear Father), was accompanied by pianist Kevin Kim. Rangwanasha is in the final year of her postgraduate diploma in performance.

Celebrations continued with a poem of praise honouring the graduands, their families and their teachers. This was performed by imbongi Sange M Neliswa Sampi-Mxunyelwa.

Celebrating success

“For the university, graduations are the culmination of our work; the reason why we are here. Graduations constitute a renewal of a cycle of hope, and the confirmation of our mission to educate,” said Lange.

“I always say that the day I do not have a lump in my throat as I’m about [to enter] the graduation hall, I’m going to quit my job.

“To the new graduates, your achievements as our students, and your success as our alumni, keeps all of us going and affirms our commitment to our work.

“Be proud of yourself, because we are certainly very proud of you.”

Watch the Faculty of Commerce graduation ceremony on 9 April…