Nathi, Ringo Madlingozi And The Mahotella Queens Expected To Perform At Fort Hare’s Centenary

Wednesday evening saw protesting Fort Hare students set fires on the Alice campus, only two days before the university’s Centenary Celebrations are due to take place on Friday. The South African Government has said that centenary celebrations at the University of Fort Hare will continue as planned.

The University of Fort Hare will be celebrating its Centenary. The year marks a hundred years in pursuit of academic excellence, a century in search of African and global knowledge. The academic tradition, character and stature of the University have matured during this time and the University has produced numerous high calibre students. The celebration of a Centenary is a momentous occasion for the University and is an important milestone. During that year, the University will celebrate its achievements of the past and also reflect on its current position.

The celebration was slated for May 25, with Mugabe among the top dignitaries expected to attend. As a graduate of the university, which opened in 1916, he would be joined by President Jacob Zuma and other still-to-be announced leaders of African countries. Zuma would deliver the keynote address and Mugabe would speak as an alumnus.

South African musicians, including Nathi, Ringo Madlingozi, and the Mahotella Queens were expected to perform.

Fort Hare University was originally known as the South African Native College. Many of the country’s political elite such as Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, and Mangosuthu Buthelezi studied there. Others included artist Ernest Mancoba and poet Dennis Brutus.