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By Thapelo Molefe
The latest crop of students who graduated from the College of Africa in Polokwane has been urged by Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, to contribute to building a better South Africa.
Delivering the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, Morolong emphasised the significance of community contribution, resilience and lifelong learning as the graduates embarked on their professional journeys.
“As you pursue your careers, keep in mind that the world is continuously evolving. The skills in demand today may be obsolete tomorrow,” Morolong cautioned on Friday.
“Stay curious, be hungry for new knowledge and explore the world to gain new experiences.”
Morolong drew inspiration from tennis legend Andre Agassi, who emphasised during his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2011, the importance of humility and recognising the unsung heroes who “do the right thing” and “win their own private Grand Slams”.
Morolong encouraged the graduates to remain humble and focus on giving back to their communities.
He also highlighted Brand South Africa’s Play Your Part initiative, which motivated citizens to contribute positively to the nation’s development.
“Your contributions matter, whether through innovation, community service or simply being a responsible citizen,” Morolong stressed.
The deputy minister also emphasised the importance of passion, creativity and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
He warned that failure was inevitable, but what was important was how the graduates responded to drawbacks.
“When asked how he (Agassi) developed resilience to stage some of the most epic comebacks on the tennis court; he had this to say: ‘It’s about recognising that regardless of what the score is, the most important point is that next point’,” Morolong said.
“At this point where you are today, you have just scored a point by graduating. However, the most important point is the next one, which is the unpredictable world of work that lies ahead.”
He also encouraged the graduates to start businesses and choose entrepreneurship as a career.
“As you step into the professional world, do not shy away from challenges. Instead, view them as opportunities for growth.”
According to the government, the ceremony celebrated students who have benefited from Brand South Africa’s Covid-19 tertiary bursary scheme, which forms part of its Play Your Part programme.
Launched in 2021, the initiative has assisted 10,000 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across South Africa.
It was introduced in response to the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic, which severely impacted household incomes and led to many students dropping out due to a lack of funding.
It said this bursary scheme stood out because beneficiaries were not required to repay the funds or work for the bursar after completing their studies, unlike other forms of educational financial aid.
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