My Address to the Wits Graduation

University of the Witswatersrand in Johannesburg honoured SOAS Director Baroness Valerie Amos CH for her contribution to public service with an Honorary Doctorate in Literature. This speech was delivered at the university on 5 December 2018.

Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, academic colleagues, Dame Gra?a Machel, President of SOAS, family, friends and most important of all graduands.

Thank you for the huge honour you have bestowed on me. And to the graduands – today is your special day. Thank you for sharing it with me.

I would like to reflect this morning on the challenges facing you as you leave university and enter the next phases of your life. You will shape and lead our world through some difficult times, the reality of the impact of conflict, of climate change, of growing inequality and poverty in some parts of the world, a world becoming more fragmented even as we become more connected. A world of significant power shifts where populism is growing and nation states are becoming more insular – more turned in on themselves. Yet the challenges we face require solutions where we work together – the mass movement of migrants and refugees is within and across borders, pandemics, cyber warfare – do not recognise borders. Resolutions to these challenges require big, bold, strategic, regional and international partnerships, strong global leadership.

I first visited South Africa in 1994 – many of you were not yet born. It was a country of huge contradictions and contrasts. I shared the euphoria and excitement of visiting a free democratic South Africa. I listened to stories of brutality and inhumanity which were almost impossible to comprehend, I saw levels of poverty and inequality which I had not seen in such a stark way before. And I was awed by the scale of vision, the ambition – the recognition that it could change. I had the privilege of experiencing first hand a country and people grappling with a painful history and moving steadfastly towards a future of opportunity: with the courage to embrace reconciliation, to forgive but not to forget.

"I first visited South Africa in 1994... It was a country of huge contradictions and contrasts... And I was awed by the scale of vision, the ambition – the recognition that it could change."

None of it was easy – there were arguments and debates about the best political approach, the importance of celebrating difference, showing the world the reality of the rainbow nation. Doing it your way, the South African way, learning - but not following others. The focus on social transformation in all parts of the country. Expectations were high and delivery was sometimes slow. But the will was there.

It is easy to romanticise the past as we face a difficult present and uncertain future, but South African leadership in 1994 had a moral authority, an extraordinary ability to extend influence through integrity, openness and commitment to an ethical and values-based approach to leadership.

As someone who has had a career spanning public service, politics, diplomacy and higher education – I know how difficult that form of leadership is. How hard it is to stay true to values – as so much becomes a negotiation, about marginal wins in a world of compromise.

In the 5 years I worked at the United Nations, responsible for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs – I watched naked political interest override the interests of the poorest, the dispossessed, people abandoned. I watched proxy wars being waged by larger, wealthier countries in places like Syria and Yemen. We are seeing today the negative impact of bullying behaviour on the ability of multilateral organisations to be effective.

This is your world – you have a big stake in it – don’t give in to that. South Africa has lived through highs and come perilously close to some major lows. The vision of those who created your constitution, the strength of your institutions and the belief of some very brave people has seen you through.

I would not be here today had it not been for the strength and support of my family and friends. Success brings many challenges – it can feel like a very lonely place. Part of my resilience comes from the experience of migration – of having to negotiate the realities of living in a new country. But I was strengthened by a strong sense of identity, the knowledge of my Caribbean and African roots. A knowledge and belief drummed into me by my parents. They gave me the confidence to believe in who I am. I am sorry they are not here to see this but I know they are with me in spirit – walking every step with me. They would have been so proud. They loved visiting Africa and seeing what a free South Africa stood for.

"My generation has left you with some big fights ahead of you – armed with your Wits education you have the tools – you are future ready."

My generation has left you with some big fights ahead of you – armed with your Wits education you have the tools – you are future ready. On this anniversary I must link to President Mandela. He said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

No one can take that education away from you.

Be the change you want to be.

And don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it.

Thank you