Rhodes chancellor ‘will inspire’ humility

Rhodes University said last week’s appointment of Judge Lex Mpati as university chancellor would serve as an inspiration to all students studying at the university.

“It is a great pleasure to announce the Honourable Justice Lex Mpati as the new Chancellor of Rhodes University,” said Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Saleem Badat.

“He is an inspirational figure for law students whom he exhorts to use their knowledge, expertise and skills to promote justice and human rights in whatever field they may work in.

“A humble man of great intellect and wonderful integrity, who personifies the Rhodes motto of Strength, Virtue, Truth and the Rhodes slogan: Where Leaders Learn, Judge Mpati is a superb role model for Rhodes’ students,” Badat said.

Mpati has deep roots in Grahamstown and the province as a whole. He was born in Durban in 1949 but his schooling was in the Eastern Cape, first at St Joseph’s Catholic School at Fort Beaufort and then at Mary Waters High School in Grahamstown, from where he matriculated in 1967.

Mpati enrolled at Rhodes in 1979, under a special permit (required by black students), and graduated in 1982 with a BA degree in legal theory and Xhosa. He graduated with a B Law degree (LLB) in 1984. He was only the second black student to graduate with an LLB from Rhodes.

“Rhodes University looks forward to Judge Mpati’s tenure as chancellor, during which time he will preside over the university graduation ceremonies, award degrees, diplomas and certificates to graduating students, grace special occasions and events and provide wise counsel when required,” Badat added.

Mpati is also president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, a post he has held since 2008 when he became the first Rhodes law alumnus to be so appointed.

The ANC in the province has congratulated Judge Mpati on his appointment at Rhodes.

Caption: Judge Lex Mpati, Rhodes’ new chancellor.

By: SITHANDIWE VELAPHI

Source: The New Age