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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Once free higher education - controversially announced by President Jacob Zuma just before the the ANC's watershed 54th elective conference at Nasrec, Gauteng - is in place, only fifty percent of the end goal will have been achieved.
"The other half depends on the commitment of the students themselves," said Prof Sibongile Muthwa, vice chancellor of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), at the welcoming ceremony for first year students.
Muthwa was speaking via live video stream from Port Elizabeth during the ceremony at NMU George Campus on Saturday 27 January.
"You are the first group of students that will be commencing your studies under the university's new name of Nelson Mandela University.
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"This is also the only institution of higher learning in the world to carry this iconic name."
The campus was abuzz with activity as the new Madibaz and their families had the opportunity of interacting with the lecturers at the various faculties.
Prof Muthwa, the only female Vice Chancellor of a university in South Africa, said that the increase in crime has dictated that the university rethink its security policy.
"Up to now the university has prided itself on having a free access policy at all our compasses.
"Regrettably the rape of two NMU students at the Port Elizabeth South Campus in October has necessitated that access to all campuses will now be via access cards only."
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Muthwa said that the new Madibaz are already special as only 6000 of the 57 000 applicants could be accommodated at the university.
The increased status of the university is being recognised internationally as just over 8% of students are from outside the borders of South Africa.
Anina Friedrich a nature conservation student from Buenos Aires in the Argentine told the George, Herald "Professionals in nature conservation in my home country told me to consider NMU when I started looking at my options."
"Your journey towards your professional careers starts now. You must take your studies very seriously lots of sacrifices have been made by your parents to get you here and you are already privileged considering the many students who didn’t get placement at universities. Study hard and be innovative.
"The country needs your skills," said Muthwa.
NMU is the largest university in the Eastern Cape with over 28 000 students.
ARTICLE, VIDEO, & PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ & BRÜMILDA SWARTBOOI, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALISTS
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