WATCH | Rhodes University graduation: Celebrating excellence, emotional firsts, and leading the way for new leaders

As Khubalo Mpofu crossed the graduation stage at Rhodes University, she felt the presence of her late mother as the crowd's ululations echoed through the hall. She was one of 2 035 graduates who have been set on the path to become new leaders.

As Khubalo Mpofu crossed the graduation stage at Rhodes University, she felt the presence of her late mother. As she accepted her Bachelor of Social Science degree, the crowd's ululations seemed to echo her mother's joy.
Before her graduation on April 4, Mpofu took to social media to request parents attending the ceremony to ululate for her, as her mother would have. She did not expect the overwhelming warmth and support she received as she walked across the stage.
"I was in tears the whole time because people were calling me from the sides, even when I was standing there [waiting]. I didn't even realise that the Rhodes staff as a whole were prepared for that moment. The moment I kneeled before the chancellor, he congratulated me and shared a few words. I was in disbelief," Mpofu recounted.
When Mpofu approached Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, to receive her graduation hood, she was greeted with a warm hug from Dr Mzilikazi.
"It felt like it was my mom waiting for me at the end of the stage," Mpofu said tearfully.
As the clouds cleared and The Monument - the graduation venue - emerged from a rainy morning, Mpofu felt her mother celebrating in heaven.
"She's a drama queen, that one. Heaven is singing and dancing right now. She’s celebrating and has been since I found out I was graduating," she said.
Among those who walked the stage with Mpofu was Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws for his role as a voice of reason and a conscience of society, steadfastly advocating against corruption and abuse of power.
"It is important to celebrate graduates. They've worked hard, their families have sacrificed, and some have burned the midnight oil. The motto of Rhodes is 'Where leaders learn,' and so we pray that in applauding them as they pass the stage, in celebrating them, we're setting them on a path to making this world a more dignified, humorous, loving, and equal place," said Makgoba.

At this year's autumn graduation, 2,035 students received their degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Of these, 1,361 (65%) received their undergraduate bachelor’s degrees, and 719 (35%) received their postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
"We salute and celebrate those of you who are the first in your family to earn a university degree. This is, without a doubt, a truly proud and special moment for you and your family. I wish to especially recognise the local Makhanda graduates, particularly those who have benefited from our university's efforts to enhance the quality of learning and teaching in our local public schools," said Vice Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela.
While any graduation is special, this year's grad ceremonies at Rhodes University took on an extra special significance as the university celebrates its bidecacentennial celebrations through the RU120 campaign. One of the key priorities of this campaign is to raise funds for student debt initiatives, making the launch of a scholarship initiative by Rhodes alumni and Google South Africa Country Director, Dr Alastair Mokoena, all the more significant.
The fund is aimed at supporting students facing financial difficulties and was launched at the autumn graduation Grand Ball. "I started an education fund because we have a funding shortage in our country. But also, because I appreciate the role of education in lifting lives and livelihoods. South Africa's hope lies in high-quality education and universal access to it," Mokoena said that evening.
Mokoena contributed the first R100 000 to the fund, which awarded two bursaries valued at R50 000 each to two deserving students pursuing their Honours degrees at Rhodes University. One of those students, Simphiwe Sono, was able to return to Rhodes to pursue her honours in Mathematical Statistics thanks to the fund. Sono expressed her gratitude, saying Mokoena's support not only allowed her to continue her passion for knowledge and numbers but also inspired her to help others in the future.
"He is changing my life by giving back. Listening to his speech opened up my mind. Now, I too want to help someone else one day, to contribute and give hope to others," she said.