Drama erupted at the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Friday evening with throngs of the ZCC faithful bussed from Limpopo overrunning the event to the frustration of parents and family friends who had come to the great hall to see their children graduate in Pretoria.
Instead, the ZK Matthews Hall – situated at the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela building at the university’s Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria with a capacity of about 1 000 – was filled with church dignitaries and members.
Outside of the doors of the hall, hundreds of family members who had tickets in hand were not allowed into the great hall.
Many more sat on the stairs leading up to the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela building, having their space taken by the seemingly bullying church followers who had come to witness their church leaders earn an honorary doctoral degree.
It was a bitter-sweet moment with some parents visibly angry at not being able to share in their children’s achievement.
For a couple from Thembisa in Ekurhuleni, who refused to be named, what was supposed to be a moment of pride to see their daughter graduate, the first to do so in the family, this was a let-down moment for them as they were forced to watch her on the big screen set up outside the hall.
“I’m happy and proud, but sad that I couldn’t be in the hall to see and congratulate my daughter,” said the father.
The mother could only shake her head, saying she was not happy on what was supposed to be one of the best days in her life and her child’s life.
A proud sister stood out in her shimmering evening wear, dejected to be only waiting in the stairs outside the building.
But for the hundreds of church visitors who had gathered at the great hall to enjoy the honour of watching their spiritual leader, Bishop Engenas Joseph
Lekganyane, being awarded an honorary degree, they could not be bothered about the frustrated parents of graduands who were visibly inconvenienced by the jamboree.
About 370 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas by Unisa chancellor and former president Thabo Mbeki.
The church’s hundred-plus strong brass band occupied one section of the hall. More than a hundred more men clad in dapper suits wearing the iconic green badge with a dove took another entire section. Women bedecked in doeks, or elegant hats also occupied another section.
But for the many lucky ZCC members – who were allowed despite tight security, which included the church’s own security personnel, the university’s security, the police, the Tshwane Metropolitan Police department and emergency services, including the fire brigade – it was an evening to remember.
Dignitaries, who included the bishop’s family and the church’s top brass, took up the VIP seats close to the stage, and were joined by other top government officials including Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi. Deputy President Paul Mashatile was part of the academic procession.
The printed graduation programme, with Lekganyane’s full page portrait, was a hot property with no copies left 15 minutes before the start of the formal proceedings.
Inside the hall the mood was jubilant for church members. A sea of black gowns and hats, led in the front by a row of doctoral graduates occupied two sections on one end of the hall. Only the procession and those graduating on the day were in academic regalia.
Otherwise, the family members who were lucky to be allowed in sat in a sea of green badges among church faithfuls.
When Lekganyane walked on to the stage to take his seat with the other graduands, the church members raptured in praise songs. The brass brand serenaded the hall. The proceedings deviated from the official programme, with the brass brand putting up a performance in between the formalities of awarding the bishop the degree.
The roof of the ZK Matthews almost came down after Lekganyane was conferred the degree and took his seat next to Mbeki.
The band performed two back-to-back songs, bringing guests and the academic procession up on its feet, except for Lekganyane and Mbeki who remained seated just tapping their fingers and bobbing their heads.
Yet, this was not the only drama that was happening at Africa’s 150-years old open distance learning institution.
A few hours before the graduation ceremony, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande placed the university under administration.
Former University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor Prof Ihron Rensburg has been appointed as administrator for Unisa.
He will take over the role, functions and responsibilities of council and the executive management of Unisa and institute a forensic investigation so that those who are fingered in corruption and maladministration are brought to book.
