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UNISWA's dullest grad

05/10/2008 00:00:00 SIBONGILE SUKATI

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KWALUSENI— Whether it was the absence of the king or lack of exciting entertainment, the 28th Graduation Ceremony of the University of Swaziland was—to say the least—a dull affair yesterday.

Contrary to the norm the Chan-cellor of the University, King Mswati III and Emakhosikati did not attend the event held at the Kwaluseni campus yesterday.

A number of graduands interviewed randomly expressed their disappointment at the fact that the king could not attend.

"It does make it rather unexciting that the father of the nation is not here, but we must go on," said a visibly disappointed Sebentile Dlamini, a Humanities graduand.

Those who attended the event seemed less interested in the proceedings and families barely shouted ululations as the graduands were awarded degrees, certificates and diplomas.

Even when the king’s representative Prince Masitsela made his remarks a majority of those present spoke amongst themselves instead of concentr-ating on the speech.

Exit

Former Finance minister Majozi Sithole also made a quick exit after the king’s speech, whilst king’s Private Secretary Sam Mkhombe busied himself with reading our sister publication, the Swazi News.

Former ministers and both old and new Members of Parliament were also a no show at the occasion save for a few Principal Secretaries including Finance PS Dumsani Masilela.

There were 1 433 graduands, of which 680 received certificates and diplomas, whilst 746 received bachelor’s degrees and seven received master’s degrees.

The event started promptly at 9am and the entertainment included a choral music, sibhaca (traditional dance) and a fanfare was played.

This year the graduands did not have the opportunity to take portraits as the company that took pictures last year was a no-show.

The event unlike last year’s, which ended at 3pm, was declared officially dissolved at 12:45pm.

Ex-SRC president’s apology to King

KWALUSENI— Former President of the Students Representative Council at the University of Swaziland has apologised to the king for the acts of vandalism that took place at the institution last academic year.

This was said by UNISWA’s Vice Chancellor Professor Cisco Magagula when making his remarks during the graduation ceremony held at the Kwaluseni Campus yesterday.

Prof. Magagula said last year was a difficult year for everyone at the university.

"The dispute was over the manner of introducing semeste-risation throughout the univer-sity and in the process of resolving our dispute, there was vandalism, hooliganism and destruction of university proper-ty," said Magagula.

Licence

He said naturally as human beings there were bound to be differences, but said this was no licence to resolve those differen-ces through hooliganism, vandalism of property and violence. "We all know that violence breeds violence," he said.

Magagula said if a dispute is referred to court and a judgement is pronounced it should be respected even if it goes against one’s prayers. Sikhombise kutsi sifundzile, loosely translated to mean we should show that we are educated. Magagula said what happened last year had shocked everyone, adding that it was unfortunate and was contrary to the way Swazis resolve their differences and said he hoped these acts would not be repeated again.

Behavior

Magagula said the former SRC President, Maqhawe Dlamini had apologised for that kind of behavior and said in vernacular "uyacolisa ngemkh-uba lomubi".

Dlamini when contacted confirmed that he had indeed apologised on behalf of the students.

"I made the apology on Tuesday during a sponsorship presentation by the Swaziland Water Services Corporation at the university," said Dlamini.

He said the king as Chairman of the Troika Organ has preached that foundation for conflict resolution is dialogue and mutual respect.

She is the outstanding graduand

KWALUSENI— Bachelor of Commerce in Accou-nting student Tawonga Kalua was the most outstanding graduand at the event.

Tawonga did not only win the Vice Chancellor’s prize, but was back again on the podium to pick up the Dean’s Prize, FNB Book Prize and the KPMG prize. In a brief interview Tawonga, who is a staunch Christian said all praise should go to God.

She further dedicated her prize to her late mother stating that hard work and sacrifice were the key to success. Tawonga, who is already employed by KPMG said she wanted to be a Chartered Accountant in the next three to four years. Wandile Maseko, who won the Butterworth Book Prize for being the best final year student in Law, also said hard work was the key to success. Similo Makama, who won the Swaziland Electricity Board award for being the best in Electronic Engineering, also said it was through hard work that he was able to achieve this great feat.