EASTERN Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle has congratulated Rhodes University's newly appointed principal and vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela. Mabizela's appointment, with effect from November 1, was confirmed this week by the university's council chairperson, Vuyo Kahla.
Masualle said: "We welcome this appointment and hope to work with the Rhodes University community and Dr Mabizela as we seek to address the human resources development challenges of our province.
"We are proud of Rhodes University's prestigious place as a premier institution in the production of knowledge in the Eastern Cape and its graduates, who continue to serve society at home and abroad.
"On behalf of the Eastern Cape provincial government, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Mabizela and wish him well during his tenure."
ANC provincial spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane also congratulated Mabizela saying they have noted his passion in education "which extends far beyond the lecture rooms' to issues of development and other matters of transformation".
"As our country invests more in education and skills development, we will rely on the wisdom of progressive academic leaders like him to increase the university's contribution to development.
"We are confident that Dr Mabizela will lead the university skilfully to the benefit of the people of the Eastern Cape. "The role of this university in the current democratic dispensation is to plough more resources into our youth in order for our country to be amongst the best knowledge producers.
"The ANC wishes him well in his new responsibility and we will always work with him and we welcome his contribution in the broader development of society."
Article by: Sithandiwe Velaphi
Article source: The New Age