The University of Fort Hare is not only the oldest historically black university in South Africa, but also one of the leasing seats of learning on the African continent. The history of the African intelligentsia is inextricably linked to this university. It has continued to produce illustrious intellectuals and educationists whose resilience and credibility attest to the character of the institution that moulded and nurtured them.. The names that easily come to mind include Don Mtimkulu, a brilliant scholar and educationist; Z K Matthews, the first Fort Hare graduate and first Fort Hare Black rector, even though in an acting capacity; Victor Poto, one of the champions of liberation in the Transkei region; Oliver Tambo, one of our movement's foremost visionaries and stalwarts; Joseph Mokoena, the great mathematician; Yusuf Lule, who distinguished himself as an educationist in the United Kingdom, and served as a president to Uganda; Robert Mugabe, the current president of Zimbabwe and Mrs. Keso-Sonkole (nee Ngozwana) who served as a member of parliament in Tanzania, to mention but a few.
The University of Fort Hare should be proud for having produced such outstanding sons and daughters of the African continent. We, in the African National Congress, salute the university for the manner it has impacted the struggle for the liberation of our country. The struggle for the liberation of our country is clearly indebted to and has benefitted enormously from the individual and collective contribution of such visionaries and stalwarts who at various times have graced the liberation movement with their dignified and selfless presence. The names of Z K Matthews, O R Tambo, Robert Sobukwe, I B Tabata and Govan Mbeki evoke nothing but respect and such qualities as have underpinned our liberation struggle through the long and lean periods of our struggle.
We recognise the fact that the history of the African National Congress is interwoven with that of the University of Fort Hare. It is for this reason that the African National Congress has resolved to lodge its archives with the University of Fort Hare. We welcome the pivotal role the Centre for Cultural Studies is already playing in the struggle for the democratisation and transformation of the cultural sector of South African society. We appreciate its commitment to and role in the transformation of Fort Hare from only a teaching university to the one, that will focus equally on teaching, research and community outreach. We are pleased that our archives will be an integral part of a centre committed to the empowerment of the disadvantaged majority of our land.
The African National Congress pledges its support for the Centre for Cultural Studies. We invite all and sundry to give it the necessary support.
Nelson Mandela
National Heritage Cultural
Studies Centre Welcome Page
Last updated 18 September 1998