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MEC at the postgraduate admission occasion
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Health

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH  BY  M.E.C. FOR HEALTH DR GOQWANA
ON THE OCCASION OF THE POSTGRADUATE ADMISSION
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TRANSKEI
 1 FEBRUARY 2001

Vice Chancellor
 Registrars
Deans of Faculty,
 Heads of Departments
 Members of the teaching staff
 Distinguished Colleagues and Guests
 Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is in deed a historic occasion for us as the Eastern Cape Department Of Health and University of Transkei.

We are very pleased that at the dawn of the African Century that Unitra has a privilege of hosting an occasion of this magnitude. We should 
also take credit because Unitra is the African Service Community of the Eastern Cape. Such achievement or such identification is not only 
important in so far as the status of the School but also in regenerating the dignity of our being. This is a testimony to the resolve, the 
character, ingenuity and hard working staff of this university.

As we embark on a new form of social re-engineering in South Africa, the medical profession should not be seen to be immune from these 
changes lest it loses its relevance. Our Premier Rev. M. Stofile describes relevance as the will comes from social validation which flows 
from knowledge that your ideas, your knowledge, your efforts are making a visible and real change in the lives of ordinary people.

Vice Chancellor in line with what I have already stated above I wish to point out that in order for us to find relevance for our medical 
profession we have to critically evaluate our history so that we cannot become victims of it. Years of colonialism and apartheid have not 
only dehumanised our people but created a particular mentality within the Black communities that what is best is what comes from a white 
community. Obviously by mere being privileged the white community has been able to consciously and/or unconsciously influenced the 
behaviour of those who were not privileged.

We need a new form of social engineering, which not only restores the dignity of the African well-being but that which recognises the 
intellect of the Africans in all aspects of life. In doing so we must be prepared to transform our perceptions and mentality. We cannot 
begin to talk about transformation if we are not prepared psychologically to transform.

This equally applies to our teaching and research activities. I must specifically refer to research. There are certain objective conditions 
that as researchers we need to look at in conducting our research.

* Most of our research is always based on laboratories with little or no community consideration. While it is important to continue 
searching for answers on chemical transformation it is equally important that we should also go out to the communities and search for 
answers on why their health status continues to decline despite the availability of medicines and drugs. Thus make the profession relevant 
because you will now be able to incorporate communitys needs within your practice.

* Closely linked to the above is the fact that many people who are involved in research tend not to be original. We have always been taught 
that what is good is what is coming from the west. We do not appreciate our standard of research in South Africa because we feel it is not 
good enough if our western counterparts have not given it a nod. In as much as we need them but they do not know the conditions under which 
we live. Secondly our value system is far different from theirs.

Vice Chancellor I must also point out that whatever we do we should take into consideration the resources we have. There are many 
challenges facing the emerging democracy in South Africa. One of these challenges is to ensure that we fulfil the dreams of the 
disadvantaged groups who have fought tirelessly to ensure that South Africa is free. Given the resources we have it is not possible that we 
can fulfil all those diverse dreams. What we need to ensure is that we prioritise and budget accordingly so that we can begin to make a 
meaningful intervention in the lives of our people. In that score I am certain that such efforts will not go unnoticed.

It is in this context that we should further strengthen our relationship and work together so as to achieve a better life for all.

I must again take this opportunity to thank for inviting me to make a keynote address in the occasion of this magnitude. This day is not 
only significant in the history of this university but also in the development of the Medical Teaching Institutions in the province and the 
country at large.

Let us continue to work together and let us make the medical profession relevant to the ever-changing environment. I strongly believe that 
this day signifies our vision of African renewal and the aspirations of our people. Let this be the end of the beginning!

Thank you

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