Equally important are the academic staff and other members of the university community who have contributed to this success. As I stand here in this extraordinary stadium, I am compelled to consider not just the scale of the proceedings, but the scope of the differences between us. And we have only been governed under a commonly recognized constitution for 4 years, whereas you achieved that before the end of the eighteenth century. Perhaps the first lesson of South African recent history is that leadership is important. In South Africa we were fortunate to have leaders who were capable of stepping outside the narrow confines of party politics and racist ideology.
Individuals make a difference.
But while the relatively peaceful transition to majority rule is something we are very proud of in South Africa, I would be remiss if I left you with the impression that apartheid is a dead thing of the past. For the amazing thing about apartheid was not that it was a failure, but that it was a phenomenal success. The previous government achieved the aims of denying black people opportunities for advancement, housing, medical care and above all education. Do not take for granted what you are here to celebrate today. You have been given a gift, and it is your responsibility to use it wisely.