Chancellor's address at the 4 May 2017 Unisa graduation ceremony, Pretoria

Abstract

The 400m sprint is an inspiring race. In 2016 South African Wayde Van Niekerk won the Olympic gold medal in this event in world record time. The 400m is also a central theme in the life of the main character in Etienne Van Heerden's 2005 novel "In Love's Place" ("In Stede van die Liefde"). This graduation address employs the 400m sprint as a career metaphor: a fast start is essential, mid-career is like the challenging phase at the back stretch of the track, and of course we would all like to finish in style. If you run in Unisa's colours you run in the service of humanity, and through mentoring and empowerment you hand the baton to the next runner, so that your career can go much further than your own legs can carry you.