Deputy President Paul Mashatile has honoured the legacy of the struggle icon Charlotte Maxeke, emphasising her profound contributions during the 125th graduation anniversary lecture held in Pretoria on Saturday.
The celebrations, hosted by the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute, brought together a multitude of prominent South Africans in a tribute to Maxeke’s indelible mark on education and communal upliftment.
In 1903, Maxeke made history as the first black woman in Southern Africa to obtain a B.Sc degree from Wilberforce University. She later played a pivotal role in founding the Wilberforce Institute in Evaton, asserting that education must serve the greater community and uplift collectively.
Addressing the nation from a working visit in China, Mashatile called on all South Africans to embrace Maxeke’s legacy of service and unity.
“Today, let us rise as Mama Maxeke rose. Let us teach, as she taught. Let us serve, as she served,” Mashatile declared in his keynote address. “Let it be known that as long as we live, Mama Maxeke’s legacy will not die,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile praised Maxeke’s dedication to education, saying that the country’s ongoing quest for innovation in the educational sector is a direct reflection of her vision.
“When colonialism tried to suppress African voices, when patriarchy tried to confine African women, and when apartheid sought to limit African dreams, she defied them all,” Mashatile said. He added that Maxeke founded schools that became a vanguard for the struggle for freedom, proving that education was not just a luxury for individuals but a torch for the collective.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has honoured the legacy of struggle icon, Charlotte Maxeke, who was on Saturday celebrated in during her 125th memorial lecture in Tshwane.
Motshabi Nomvethe, head of technical marketing at PPS, reflected on Maxeke’s extraordinary life and the enduring relevance of her legacy.
“Legacies like this simply cannot be remembered in passing. They must be carried. They must be told,” she said, highlighting the need for leadership, access, justice, and opportunity to be part and parcel of the national conversation.
Dr Anna Mokgokong, an entrepreneur and health professional, praised Maxeke’s pioneering spirit, which she claimed still provides inspiration across the nation, particularly to the youth who fought for liberation in 1976.
“More than 155 years after her birth, and 87 years after her passing, Charlotte Maxeke’s legacy continues to resonate,” Mokgokong stated, drawing parallels between Maxeke’s educational philosophy and the sacrifices made by the youth during the struggle against apartheid.
She added: “Today, as we honour Charlotte Maxeke, we also honour the young heroes of Soweto and across the country. Together, these voices of the past form a continuous narrative of resistance, resilience, and renewal, urging South Africans to build a brighter future through education”
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