GRAHAMSTOWN: Political activist mom Fiona Adams, 52, who boycotted her Rhodes graduation ceremony 24 years ago in protest against the effects of apartheid on tertiary education, will become the first of the protesters to finally receive their moment in the academic sun.
About 45 Rhodes graduates responded to an offer made by vice-chancellor Saleem Badat to Old Rhodians to return to Grahamstown and finally get their recognition.
Badat made his offer during a marketing trip to Cape Town last year, which “turned into a bit of an ’80s (memory) session”, said a source. Many of the activists were journalism and politics students.
Graduation used to bristle with formality. Today, “grad” is a vibrant three-day African celebration, complete with ululation and shouts of joy from families and friends as graduands take to the stage of a packed Guy Butler Theatre at the Monument in Grahamstown.
When Badat returned from Cape Town and gave instructions to put his offer into effect, some felt it was “impossible”.
“Just don’t give me a task and say it is impossible,” said feisty Rhodes alumni relations senior officer Sharon Tweddle.
However, the university was a bit “surprised” at the numerous responses to her mailshot to alumni, and this week it was checking to see if all respondents “passed”.
It’s now in the hands of graduates who qualify to make it happen. The first to walk the talk is Adams, who was chairperson of the End Conscription Campaign in Grahamstown and a Rhodes journalism honours graduate in 1988.
She welcomed the offer to honour her and other protesters at this year’s graduation ceremony from April 12 to 14.
Adams was in Grahamstown from Cape Town this week to settle her 18-year-old daughter, Anjuli Daya, into her digs at the start of her first year at Rhodes.
She said many activists refused to accept their degrees in the 1980s in symbolic protest against the education policies of the apartheid government, which restricted access to universities on the grounds of race.
Adams said: “Good on Rhodes for offering students, who boycotted their graduation in the ’80s for political reasons, the opportunity to cross the stage and be capped in 2012.
“Have any other universities done this?
“Twenty-four years later, I understand and appreciate the value of my education here a whole lot more than I would have done back in the day.
“And it will be made all the more special by knowing my daughter is a student here now. I’m looking forward to being at her grad in a few years’ time.”
Grahamstown is undergoing its annual transformation from a dorp to a buzzy young city as hundreds of first-year students begin arriving.
Orientation Week starts on Sunday with an address from Badat, where he traditionally offers stern social comment peppered with an invitation to enjoy academic life.
NEW AGE: …Old Rhodian Fiona Adams, 52, and her daughter, new Rhodian Anjuli Daya, 18. Adams, who boycotted her graduation to protest against apartheid, will be capped this year.
By Mike Loewe
Source: Cape Times