Fort Hare an incubator of African leaders and scholars‚ says Zuma

20 May 2016 - 18:52 By Penwell Dlamini

President Jacob Zuma has described the University of Fort Hare as rare institution because of the number of African leaders it has produced. Speaking on Friday at the centenary of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape‚ Zuma quoted the university's famous alumni‚ Nelson Mandela‚ who described the institution as “both a home and incubator of the greatest African scholars”. “Fort Hare defied the objectives of colonial masters and became an instrument of liberation‚” said Zuma. “We are filled with pride when we mention the formidable intellectuals and leaders produced by this university.As Zuma, VIPs sing struggle songs, Fort Hare students swipe their foodAs President Jacob Zuma and other dignitaries were singing struggle songs inside in celebration of Fort Hare University's 100th anniversary‚ students stole their food and vandalised the marquees outside. “This institution produced five heads of state - a rare achievement in the history in humankind. The leaders were not just Pan Africanist but also internationalist‚ with diverse ideological and political orientation. Among them there was so much unity in what they wanted to do‚” Zuma said.Among the leaders the university produced are: Nelson Mandela‚ Professor ZA Mathews‚ ANC leaders Govan Mbeki and Oliver Tambo‚ PAC leader Robert Sobukwe‚ former Lesotho prime minister Ntsu Mokhehle‚ South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani and former cabinet minister Zola Skweyiya. – TMG Digital..

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