The new South African High Commissioner to Uganda Her Excellency Lulama Mary-Theresa Xingwana on Friday 9th April, 2021 made her inaugural visit to Makerere University where she was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. H.E. Xingwana who presented her credentials to the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 11th March 2021 was accompanied by her First Secretary: Political, Mr. A.E. Munaka.

“Your Excellency, you are most welcome to Uganda and Makerere University in particular”, remarked Prof. Nawangwe as he received the Diplomat. He noted that the University had enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the outgoing High Commissioner H.E. Prof. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Lekoa Solly Mollo and looked forward to continuing the same with H.E. Xingwana.

In her remarks, H.E. Xingwana noted that Makerere University is a very prestigious institution on the African continent that is appreciated for both its history and current standing. “As young girls who grew up under apartheid, we always dreamt that we would one day study at the prestigious Makerere University because there were no opportunities for blacks to study in our Universities then.”

The High Commissioner then delved into the purpose of her visit, which was to revive the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lecture is an initiative of the South African High Commission in Uganda and Makerere University, spearheaded by the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The inaugural lecture was launched on 31st August 2017 by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and delivered by Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Ms. Zoleka Mandela.

“When I presented my credentials, I informed His Excellency the President of our readiness to revive the Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture and as part of the events celebrating Mandela Day this year, unveil a statue erected at the Mandela National Stadium” continued the High Commissioner.

H.E. Xingwana then proposed the weeks either preceding or following Mandela Day on Sunday 18th July, 2021 as possible dates for holding the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture and Unveiling Ceremony. “I thank you for hosting us and contributing your time and resources to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Lecture lives on as an educative, conscientiousness and awareness raising programme especially for the young people.”

In response, the Vice Chancellor said it was a privilege and honour for Makerere University to host the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture in appreciation of the former President’s selfless sacrifice.

“We are delighted to host the Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in recognition of the dignity that the black South Africans and indeed blacks all over the world regained when the icon was released from prison” said Prof. Nawangwe before adding that he had been a privileged to visit Mandela’s Soweto home on 2nd February 2018 and meet Ms. Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

“Although she was frail, she was extremely glad when I dressed her in the Makerere University PhD gown and cap” added the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor and High Commissioner also discussed the possibility of establishing a Centre of Excellence in honour of Ms. Winnie Mandela. The centre would help champion Human rights and Gender activism, fight against oppression of the underprivileged and uplift economically disadvantaged women, issues that Winnie Mandela was passionate about.

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