Walter Sisulu Was A Fearless, Principled ANC Leader Who Would Never Betray His People – Mbeki

THABO MBEKI|

TODAY, 66 years ago, the Congress of the People, meeting in Kliptown, Johannesburg, adopted that historic document, The Freedom Charter. This day, June 26^th, was and is important because it was marked by the liberation movement since 1950 as Freedom Day.

This year we also celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the adoption of the National Constitution, that national compact which binds all of us to build the kind of South Africa it defines.

As all of us know, our Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Songca, assumed her high office on April 1^st. I am therefore honoured to dedicate this Lecture to her first 100 days in office, which will be in three days’ time, confident that under her leadership, this irreplaceable institution of higher learning will make new and important advances.

We have also convened during the sad period of the National