Graduation 2023
‘Embrace change’, chancellor urges new graduates
03 April 2023 | Story Niémah Davids. Photo Lerato Maduna. Read time 2 min.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) bolstered South Africa’s healthcare workforce when Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe capped a large cohort of Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) graduates on Thursday, 30 March. Now, equipped with world-class qualifications, these graduates are ready to serve their communities by improving health outcomes for their patients, and making a much-needed difference in South Africa’s healthcare sector.
UCT’s bumper autumn graduation season was held over five days last week as graduands from UCT’s six academic faculties received their degrees in the Sarah Baartman Hall from Monday, 27 March, to Friday, 3 April – marking the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.
By Friday evening, more than 5 000 graduands had been capped in a record 15 graduation ceremonies – signalling the start of their professional lives across a multitude of disciplines.
“We’ve gathered here to be with you and to show each one of you how proud we are. We are proud of the potential you have discovered within yourselves and we are proud of the perseverance that you have practiced over the years,” Dr Moloi-Motsepe said.
A new beginning
Moloi-Motsepe told graduates that graduation signals a new beginning in all their lives – whether they choose to continue their education, enter the world of work or opt to take that “courageous leap” and start a business.
“As the generation of medical students, you are entering a changing world.”
Her hope, she said, is that as the cohort steps out into the world, they would embrace change, learn from it and use it to grow and develop themselves on a personal and professional level, rather than be fearful of it.
“As the [new] generation of medical scientists, you are entering a changing world. As shifts unfold, Africa cannot be left behind … your knowledge, coming from this part of the world, will add tremendous value,” she said.
The Faculty of Health Sciences’ first graduation ceremony on Thursday, 30 March, was combined with the Faculty of Humanities’ fifth ceremony.
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Graduation March 2023
The University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted 15 graduation ceremonies from Monday, 27 March to Friday, 31 March 2023.
All the ceremonies were streamed live on the UCT news website as well as through the university’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for those who were not able to attend in person. Video recordings of the ceremonies are available on the UCT news website as well as on the university’s YouTube channel.
Download the full ceremony schedule. | Read more about graduation.
We have enjoyed spending this time of celebration with our students – who are now graduates – and we wish them all the best as they go out to make a difference in the world.
Graduation news
Video clips
Ceremony recordings
Graduation programmes
The names of all of the March 2023 qualifiers are listed in the graduation ceremony programmes. Congratulations to everyone graduating this March.
Our stories: inspirational graduates
The UCT News team has profiled a cross-section of inspirational graduands whose stories have inspired us. To all those we haven’t been able to feature, we’d like to say: each one of you is an inspiration – to your university, your families and your communities. We wish you every success in the future.
Cwenga Koyana recently addressed the UNESCO and Women@Dior Global Conference in Paris on her social-impact project, Talitha Together, which won the programme’s Dream for Change competition in 2022.
27 Mar 2023 - 8 min read
#UCTGrad2023 – social media elements
Customised Facebook and Instagram stickers are available on our social media platforms. Watch the tutorial videos here to see how easily you can get your online presence ready to celebrate.
