David has finally defeated Goliath.
Mbali Silimela has, after a year long fight, graduated from the University of Fort Hare.
Mbali has been in a back-and-forth battle with the University of Fort Hare for the better part of this year.
Why? Because he did not receive the marks that were due to him. The arm wrestle between him, a 26-year-old from Matatiele and the 107-year-old institution was finally put to an end by the Supreme Court of Appeal in September.
This year, he took the university to court because he was not given the marks he thought were due to him because a lecturer had not marked his assessment on time. He approached the Bhisho High Court, without a lawyer, on an urgent basis, asking it to review a decision made by the university’s senate.
Read more | I followed my name and made history, says Mbali Silimela ahead of his UFH graduation
The bone of contention is that, in his founding affidavit, Mbali says the application is for the review and setting aside of a decision taken by the Senate of the University on 2 February 2023 to withdraw or revoke (his) EDW 401 marks of 57%, which had been conferred on him by (the) Faculty of Education and Faculty board of the university on 12 January 2023.
After the matter eventually ended up at the Supreme Court of Appeals where the University’s appeal was dismissed, Mbali is finally graduating.
“I wish my mama was here,” a teary Mbali tells Drum.
“It has been a long road to get here, and I am happy to be finally getting my certificate.” His mother died in 2012 and he wishes his mother to witness his victory.
In a previous interview with Drum, he said he was happy to be making history.
Read more | Mbali Silimela is finally going to graduate from the University of Fort Hare
“It is not easy to fight with an institution and win. I am happy to finally get my degree. But I am also very happy about making history. Many people are being victimised, but they just do not have the courage to fight.”
He says he is hoping he will walk across the stage to a collect his certificate with cheers, ululations and whistles from the gallery and not drama. This after he was escorted by campus security guards on Tuesday when he went to collect his graduation tickets.
“I arrived at the Alice campus to collect my graduation tickets and seat number, and I was escorted by security guards. Apparently, the University manager instructed them to escort. It was a very strange experience. It was as if I am a criminal or something. I kept my cool and thankfully there were no arguments or conflict.”
