The former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena was bestowed with an honorary doctorate by the University of Venda on Wednesday, 11 May 2016 at a graduation ceremony that took place in the Auditorium. The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Science (honoris causa) which the University conferred on Dr Mangena is for his outstanding contribution and distinguished reputation in the field of science.
The University of Venda was extremely proud to welcome Dr Mangena to the Campus to accept his honorary degree. He has demonstrated leadership that goes beyond the Limpopo Province, the entire country and beyond South Africa.
Dr Mosibudi Mangena
After receiving the degree, Dr Mangena expressed his sincere gratitude to the University of Venda and that the honour has very profound significance for him, particularly because he is being honoured by a University that is situated in the vicinity of his birth. He said that in view of the fact that the country is faced with the challenge of poverty and inequality which are unacceptable, the only weapon through which to tackle these defects is education. He stated that in order to minimise drop-out rate at institutions of higher learning, it is of vital importance to build enough early childhood centres to prepare the kids for schooling. According to him, the current schooling system does not provide the youth with sufficient reading, writing and calculating skills to prepare them for life beyond school. He said that massive improvement of the attitude of the youth towards education could lead to a situation where there could be enough citizens who are skilled to grow the economy and increase the wealth of the nation. “We have achieved political democracy, but the attainment of economic democracy would be an uphill struggle without an excellent education for our young” concluded Dr Mangena.
He played a pivotal role in amongst others the expansion of relations between the South African science and technology system with those of other countries across the globe, the commissioning and building of the South African micro-satellite, the SumbandilaSat, the support and funding of the development of
the South African electric car, the creation of the Technology Innovation Agency, the launch of the South African Research Chairs Initiative, the winning and launching of the African component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the development of the South African Ten Year Innovation Plan. He was awarded given the Order of Luthuli in Silver on the 27th April 2013. Dr Mangena is the author of six books. This clearly demonstrates that Dr Mangena has made a prominent contribution to science and technology and South Africa has indeed benefitted enormously from Dr Mangena’s distinctive contribution in science and technology.
Issued by: Department of Communications and Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: 015 962 8525
Date: 12 May 2016
