Wamkelekile, Welkom
‘The future is yours to shape’
03 April 2025 | Story Kamva Somdyala. Photos Lerato Maduna. Read time 4 min.
It is that time again at the University of Cape Town (UCT) when the culmination of years of study is celebrated in front of family, friends and teachers at the autumn graduations.
With the Faculty of Commerce having kickstarted the autumn graduation season on Monday, 31 March, the 6pm Law ceremony on Friday, 4 April, will mark an end to a five-day celebration. Approximately 5 760 graduands, including those earning their PhD degrees, will be capped over 15 ceremonies this season.
“We are here to celebrate and rejoice and to recognise the journey that our graduands have travelled to this point. On behalf of this esteemed institution, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you,” said UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela, as he presided over the first ceremony of the week.
“This is a milestone, not just for you, but for your families, guardians, lecturers and all those who supported you on this journey. You are entering the world at a time of profound economic transformation. The global landscape is shifting, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving geopolitics, evolving markets and very pressing socioeconomic challenges,” Professor Moshabela said.
“The principles that you have learned at UCT; those of critical thinking, ethical leadership, innovative problem-solving as well as ubuntu will guide you as you navigate this dynamic environment. The world needs you to be bold, but adaptable and committed to positive change. Your education here has prepared you to be agents of UCT’s values, particularly those of excellence.”
Moshabela encouraged students by saying that the footnote of graduation is that their journeys are only just beginning: “May this moment be a source of pride and motivation as you embark on the next phase of your careers.” He also hoped that the golden graduates in the hall (who graduated 50 years ago, at least) would serve as a source of inspiration for the newly minted group. “Their presence demonstrates the long journey you have to travel ahead of you, but also it shows a commitment to UCT. The future is yours to shape.”
Acting deputy vice-chancellor for research and internationalisation, Professor Jeff Murugan, said, “Graduation at UCT is much more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of perseverance, growth and the pursuit of excellence. We honour your academic achievements and the resilience and determination that has brought you to this proud moment.
“May you carry forward the spirit of excellence that defines this institution as you enter this next phase of your lives. The world awaits your contributions, and we do not doubt that you will rise to the challenge.”
Honorary doctorate recipient
UCT also conferred an honorary doctorate – Doctor of Science in Medicine (honoris causa) – to clinician-scientist, entrepreneur and humanitarian Professor Michael Hayden during the Faculty of Health Sciences’ (FHS) ceremony on 1 April. As a distinguished alumnus of UCT, Professor Hayden is known as a guiding light in biomedical research and a great inspiration to friends and colleagues across the world. Hayden graduated from UCT with a First Class Honours in MBChB in 1975. After obtaining his PhD in human genetics and a diploma in child health from UCT in 1979, he went abroad to further his career in medical genetics, completing a postdoctoral fellowship and residency in Internal Medicine from Harvard Medical School before moving to the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1983.
Hayden, his citation read, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in biomedical sciences, making seminal contributions in the areas of medical genetics, Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, lipid disorders and type 2 diabetes. His name is synonymous with Huntington’s disease research: he is the world’s most highly cited author on this disorder. Hayden has published more than 1 100 peer-reviewed articles, chapters and reviews which have garnered more than 100 000 citations. Of his publications, no less than 275 are “citation classics”, having been cited more than 100 times each. Hayden has mentored 45 postgraduate students and 87 postdoctoral research fellows.
“Graduates must continue to lead us to higher ground through research and service within this country and collaborations across the world. Be the ones who listen, reach out and seek consensus for the greater good and for the benefit of this society,” he said during his acceptance speech. “As you step into this world, remember this: success is not just about victory, it’s becoming the best version of yourself, both in your profession and in your life. Keep a growth mindset, be courageous and be open to new perspectives. You are all ripples of hope.”
He added: “You have the power to break down walls of oppression that ignorance and illness and disease build. Your compassion and humanity are your greatest gifts. Communicate with empathy and educate with kindness.”
Some of his honours include induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for profoundly advancing understanding of the genetic basis of Huntington disease in 2017; the Order of Canada; an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Gottingen; the Killam Prize from the Canada Council of the Arts in recognition of outstanding career achievements. In collaboration with the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, he led fundraising efforts to help establish the Youth Centre in Masiphumelele which was opened in 2010.
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