UJ CONFERS HONORARY DOCTORATE ON RUGBY LEGEND AND NATION BUILDER FRANCOIS PIENAAR
“To be getting this accolade is like coming full circle for me. It really is humbling.” These were the views of the former Springbok captain, Francois Pienaar, after receiving an Honorary Doctorate from UJ today. Francois Pienaar is a towering figure in South African sport whose leadership became a defining symbol of national unity. Among his many accolades, perhaps the most significant was captaining the 1995 Springbok team to Rugby World Cup victory. The win came on the back of a tumultuous period in South Africa’s history and was strongly supported by the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. To this day, that victory remains a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Speaking during his acceptance speech, Francois Pienaar attributed his success to the opportunities afforded to him along his journey. He reflected on his formative years at one of UJ’s legacy institutions, then known as the Rand Afrikaans Universiteit (RAU) and expressed how those experiences shaped him into the person he is today. “I feel like one of the luckiest sportsmen in the country. I have had the opportunity to experience what sport can do. This is indeed a full circle moment for me, and I feel very blessed to be able to receive this accolade from the University today,” he said. Beyond being the place that launched his rugby career through a scholarship, Mr Pienaar shared a personal anecdote about how he met his wife, Nerine, at one of his lectures, “This University was even the place where I met my wife Nerine, at the D Labs. We were attending our first class, Private Law 101 and we haven’t looked back since,” he said, much to the delight of the audience.
In a more sombre note, Mr Pienaar took the opportunity to thank his two ‘giants’ to whom he attributes his success, coach of the 95 team, George Moir ‘Kitch’ Christie, and Nelson Mandela. “Allow me to highlight two giants, Moir ‘Kitch’ Christie, our coach, mentor, a fighter, a believer and a genius, and Nelson Mandela. The reason I am getting this honorary degree is because of these giants on whose shoulders I was able to stand from a very young age. Because of them, I was lucky enough to do extraordinary things. And for this, I am deeply grateful,” he said. Mr Pienaar’s rugby career began in 1989 when he started playing for Transvaal (now the Golden Lions). Over his tenure, he played in 100 matches and captained the team 89 times, guiding them to multiple Currie Cup and Super 10 victories and establishing himself as a key leader in South “I FEEL LIKE ONE OF THE LUCKIEST SPORTSMEN IN THE COUNTRY. I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT SPORT CAN DO. THIS IS INDEED A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR ME, AND I FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THIS ACCOLADE FROM THE UNIVERSITY TODAY,” HE SAID.
Honorary Doctorate recipient Mr Francois Pienaar with UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
59
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online