Picture: THEMBELA NDLUMBINI
As the country celebrated Africa Day on May 25, we as students also celebrated our own graduation from King William’s Town-based Divinity College, an entity of Ballsbridge University.
This day was special in that it also commemorated the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on in 1963.
As for me, receiving a doctorate of philosophy in public health leadership and governance together with a doctorate in divinity is a great achievement and being the only one to receive two doctorates on the same day inspired me further in my calling which is to serve my communities, society and nation.
Being born and raised in the Transkei as part of the Abambo Royal House in Blythswood taught me responsibility as we grew up under multiple expectations from my family. The Christian schools that raised me encouraged me to have faith and great zeal towards God and to respect people no matter who they are.
Having travelled to France, Russia, Dubai, Ethiopia, Botswana and worked with people from Washington DC, England, Kuwait, the Caribbean and Portugal, this created avenues of advancement and I learned how other nations overcome their different challenges.
Recently having been part of the land committee in parliament from 2018, it was my joy to have my recommendation approved and this year I was privileged to be invited by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the draft declaration summit for interventions to build South Africa.
There, I reiterated that unity is a must in social cohesion and nation building and that land redistribution must be handled by traditional leadership with a simultaneous governance between politicians, churches and traditional leaders to strike the right balance.
Land remains a great asset and I have been meeting many people who told me their lands were forcefully taken and black farmers suffered to gain access to land, which madekes them vulnerable to livestock theft.
While Africa may be facing problems, it’s true that most of the solutions lie within her own borders and people can be transformed by means of education, skills and faith in God to uplift their continent.
My people, the Abambo/ AmaMfengu, have been neglected and as pillars in constructing our country, deserve a better place like all tribes in South Africa.
Agriculture is the current economy needing development. We ask all stakeholders and businesses to partner with us in building our country and making it a better place for us all.
I thank Archbishop Abune Yacob of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church All Africa Diocese, Council of Churches South Africa president Prof Mbulelo Mvubu, my parents and colleagues for their relentless support in my endeavours. May God give them many years to come.
I also want to thank my supervisors Prof Hannes Marais and Prof Cobus Louw.
-Sindiso Solontsi
