Retired Constitutional Court justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga has emphasized the importance of recognizing the "quiet power" of universities, particularly historically disadvantaged institutions. Speaking at the University of Fort Hare's spring graduation, where he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Madlanga urged South Africans to stop underestimating the talent of students at these universities. He noted that the real challenge lies not in the students' abilities, but in the conditions they face.
Madlanga's speech deviated from the law, focusing instead on the impact of universities on society. He described the "quiet power" of universities as the significant work that occurs behind the scenes, in lecture halls, laboratories, and academics' offices. This work may only manifest years later in the lives of graduates. Madlanga stressed that a university's influence extends beyond its walls, shaping the contributions of its graduates.
The justice highlighted the difference between accessing a university and truly succeeding there. He noted that students may have formal access but struggle to obtain meaningful access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Madlanga emphasized that the question is not only how many young people are admitted to universities but also what opportunities are provided for them to succeed.
Madlanga acknowledged that South Africa's universities did not start from the same place due to the higher education system's racially built structure. He recognized that the democratic constitution changed the legal order but did not erase the material consequences of the previous order. However, Madlanga expressed hope, citing the example of two Fort Hare law students who won a public interest law moot court competition at the Constitutional Court in 2025.
The justice praised Fort Hare for demonstrating that talent is not limited to specific institutions or communities. He pointed to Fort Hare graduates who served as law clerks in his chambers at the Constitutional Court, one of whom he ranked among the top 1% of all law clerks he worked with. Madlanga cautioned against underestimating historically disadvantaged universities, emphasizing that they are not deficient in talent but often in resources.
Madlanga urged sustained investment in institutions like Fort Hare, stating that they cannot live on history alone. He encouraged graduates to use their skills for the greater good, quoting Nelson Mandela's 1992 speech when he received his own honorary law degree. Madlanga appealed to the graduates to acknowledge the community's claim on their skills.
Madlanga's honorary doctorate from Fort Hare is his third, following those from Walter Sisulu University and Rhodes University. He currently chairs the judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system. In August, Fort Hare's law faculty launched the Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga International Moot Court competition in his honor.
Key points
- Madlanga praises historically disadvantaged universities for their talent
- The justice emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for students to succeed
- Madlanga urges sustained investment in institutions like Fort Hare
