Retired Justice and human rights activist Edwin Cameron has been announced as Stellenbosch University’s new chancellor.
Sowetan Live is reporting that the Maties alumni, who holds an honorary doctorate from the institution, was elected by the vast majority of votes last week Wednesday. The meeting was made up of members of the university’s council‚ executive committee of the senate‚ and the president and vice-president of the Stellenbosch University convocation.
In a statement released by the university to media, Cameron is quoted as saying that he is “honoured and humbled to have this chance to serve [Stellenbosch University] and its communities‚ and look forward to my new tasks.”
The statement also features comments by its current rector and vice-chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, who says that it is a privilege to have someone of the stature of Judge Edwin Cameron as chancellor of the university.
“He is a champion for human rights and boasts a distinguished legal career. I look forward to working with him,” says De Villiers, before also thanking “our current chancellor‚ Dr Johann Rupert‚ for his hard work and assistance during his term‚ which ends on December 31.”
Cameron had an honorary doctorate conferred onto him by Stellenbosch University in 2015 for his “unstinting professional and personal advocacy for the recognition of every person’s dignity, freedom and equality – foundational values he has helped entrenched in our legal system and beyond.”
Trees to celebrate Arbor Month