The memorial service of Prof Dan Kgwadi hosted by the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) ended on a tense note when a family representative reproached the chairperson of the university’s council Prof Mandla Radebe for utterances he made during his speech about Kgwadi’s health and death.
The VUT memorial was held on the same day as the one hosted by North West University where Kgwadi was vice chancellor (VC) for two terms before joining VUT.
Kgwadi’s family, including his siblings and his only daughter and grandchild, attended the NWU memorial service.
Family representative Seliki Tlhabane, who was the last speaker tasked with announcing funeral details, took issue with Radebe’s remarks.
Radebe had mentioned during his speech that appointing Kgwadi as VC at VUT was not a mistake.
He also said that until his death Kgwadi was a VC of TUT – that he was neither dismissed nor suspended, but he was put on special leave because of his health.
Radebe said he and his council members had been concerned about Kgwadi ‘s health, including reports that he fell or collapsed while at work, emphasising that no job was more important than one’s health.
“It was clear that as much as Prof Kgwadi wanted to run as quickly as possible his health could not allow him to do that,” he said.
“He was clear about what he wanted to do … sometimes to the detriment of his own health,” he said.
“We took a decision, against his will, to put Bra Dan on special leave. We felt it was important for him to look after his health. There is nothing that is worth one’s life, not even this university,” he said.
Tlhabane, who spoke after Radebe, expressed distress at the statements made by the council’s chair.
After thanking the university for hosting the memorial, he said:
“We are concerned with some of the statements that have been made; the statement made by Mr Radebe that suggested the university will be embarking on a campaign to set the record straight and to clear the name of the university.
“As a family, we do not want to get into that situation.
“We make a humble plea to the university to make a fresh start.”
“Whatever will be put forward will necessitate the family to respond”, said Tlhabane who had turned his body to face Radebe.
“To call any gathering and to come and address people and tell them why he died … it is only his doctor that certified him dead that can testify to his cause of death.
“Desist from doing that. It is a humble request. As a family we don’t wish to be drawn into those matters … we may feel the need to stand up and defend ourselves,” he said.
“Focus on going forward … the university has a duty and responsibility to move on post his death.
“It is a humble request,” he said.
Kgwadi will be laid to rest today [Sunday] at Mofufutso village, in North West.
University spokesperson Tandi Mapukata said there was no campaign to set the record straight.
He said until the day that Kgwadi passed away he was vice-chancellor of the university.
Kgwadi joined VUT in February last year.
He passed away on April 30.
He was placed on special leave in February and had threatened to take legal action against the university for putting him on special leave and for how the university had handled his probationary period.
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