By Jimmy Zwane
17 October 2025
Kimberley — The spirit of Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, champion of dignity, justice, and understanding, was celebrated in a powerful Memorial Weekend at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) from 10 to 11 October 2025. The event honoured the revered author, intellectual, and activist whose legacy continues to inspire the university community and beyond.
This year’s Memorial Weekend was marked by a dual significance: reflecting on Plaatje’s enduring contributions while also bidding farewell to SPU’s first Chancellor, Justice Steven Majiedt, who has led the institution with distinction since its founding in 2016.
Reflecting on Justice, Knowledge, and Service
The weekend opened with SPU’s signature Annual Sol Plaatje Lecture, delivered by Justice Majiedt himself. His address, titled Lessons Learnt During My Career as a Judge from the Life and Legacy of the Venerable Sol Plaatje, drew profound connections between Plaatje’s values and the responsibilities of the judiciary.
Justice Majiedt called on judges to be “humble servants of the people,” emphasizing fairness and integrity in dispensing justice to all South Africans—rich or poor, powerful or voiceless. His words reinforced Plaatje’s belief that knowledge must serve society and that service must enlighten.
SPU’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr David Kanguwe, highlighted Plaatje’s multifaceted legacy as a writer, translator, journalist, and activist. Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Debra Meyer, described the lecture as a vital moment in the Northern Cape’s academic and civic calendar, urging attendees to draw lessons from Plaatje’s example.
Prof Jesmael Mataga, Acting Director of the Research Office, connected the lecture series to a tradition of intellectual remembrance, celebrating the lecture as a flagship event that continually renews the university’s identity and commitment to social justice.
A Farewell Rooted in Leadership and Legacy
In the evening, the university held a heartfelt Farewell Dinner for Justice Majiedt, attended by family, government officials, business leaders, and university stakeholders. SPU Council Chair, Prof Randall Carolissen, praised Majiedt’s impactful leadership, noting his contributions through initiatives like the Chancellor’s Bursary Fund and the Talent Pipeline Programme (TPP), which has supported over 100 learners in accessing higher education.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Debra Meyer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Paul Green also paid tribute to Majiedt’s dedication to widening access and inclusion. In his remarks, Majiedt reflected on the journey of building SPU and underscored the importance of preserving universities as sacred spaces for dialogue, knowledge, and youth development—echoing Plaatje’s vision of education as service.
Teeing Off for Education
The weekend’s momentum continued on Saturday with the Chancellor’s Golf Day, hosted by Justice Majiedt in partnership with Standard Bank. The event raised funds for the TPP, a programme supporting top-performing learners from under-resourced schools across the Northern Cape, especially in rural areas.
Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul announced a R300,000 donation to the programme, praising SPU’s role in strengthening the province’s education ecosystem. Former TPP learner Jemima Freeman, now a third-year Bachelor of Arts student, shared her inspiring journey, highlighting the programme’s academic and emotional support that empowered her success.
Alumni Homecoming: A Living Legacy
The Faculty of Education welcomed its alumni for a joyful Homecoming event, celebrating the ongoing impact of SPU graduates in communities across the region. Dean Prof Boitumelo Diale reminded attendees that rural education is a source of cultural richness and indigenous knowledge, calling on alumni to uphold the values of diversity, integrity, accountability, lifelong learning, and ethics.
Special guest Ms Lynn Forbes, mother of the late hip-hop artist AKA and a longtime educator, encouraged teachers to embrace their roles as mentors and changemakers, inspiring future generations as part of Plaatje’s legacy.
Carrying the Light Forward
In closing, SPU’s Manager of Communication and Marketing, Ms Mosima Mehlape, reminded all alumni that they carry “the living light of Sol Plaatje”—a beacon rooted in heritage, driven by purpose, and guided by knowledge.
The 2025 Sol Plaatje Memorial Weekend was a profound celebration of a legacy that continues to define the university’s mission: to foster justice, service, and transformation through education. In honouring both Plaatje and Justice Majiedt, SPU reaffirmed its place as a beacon of hope, humanity, and intellectual courage.
Jimmy Zwane covers education and social justice across South Africa.
