Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU)
All eyes in the Kingdom of Eswatini were on Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) on Friday 1st April 2022. When six hundred and fifty-seven young people crossed the platform at the Metropolitan Church in Manzini, to receive their degrees and diplomas to much ululation from family, SANU faculty, fellow graduates and a few dignitaries from the Church of the Nazarene, Government officials and the corporate sector.
This event marked the 12th Graduation since the establishment of the Southern Africa Nazarene University. It was the culmination of years of hard work for the class of 2021. They overcame the challenges and obstacles of the last two years brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing political unrest that rocked the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The ceremony took the form of a blended approach where participation from guests that were beyond the borders of Eswatini was virtual. The event was also shared live on YouTube and SANU’s Facebook page as numbers were limited at the actual venue.
The Chancellor, Dr Loren Gresham’s declared the ceremony constitutional and conferred degrees and diplomas on students from the following faculties.
Faculty of Education:
- Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development: Foundation Phase – 47
- Primary Teachers’ Diploma – 321
- Bachelor of Education in Special and Inclusive Education – 75
- Bachelor of Education in Leadership and Management of Inclusive Education – 54
Faculty of Health Sciences:
- Diploma in Pharmacy – 31
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory – 36
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery – 60
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Anesthesia – 10
Faculty of Theology:
- Diploma in Theology – 3
- Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship – 16
- Bachelor of Theology – 5
In her commencement address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Faith Mlotsa-Mngomezulu congratulated the graduands and appreciated the contribution rendered by all stakeholders in ensuring that the graduands achieved their dreams. She remarked that SANU had embarked on exploring possibilities of incorporating a business entrepreneurship component across programmes to equip students with business skills. She further encouraged the graduands to explore utilizing their qualifications beyond the job market. The guest speaker, Dr Gabriel Benjiman (The Education and Clergy Coordinator for the Africa Region), addressed the graduates by first congratulating the CLASS of 2022 for “their great strength and commitment amidst a host of challenges no less than of the very challenging scourge of COVID-19 pandemic – You have emerged strong and unshaken”. He went on to appreciate “the years of partnership between the Church of the Nazarene, its leaders, and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
He reminded the graduates, staff and guests that SANU exists for a very special purpose; – “It is the mandate of this Church educational institution to inculcate within each of our graduands a deep value for the sanctity of life and the upliftment of all God’s people. – We live out our call to be holy with respect for our fellow human beings. Our values are to be visible in faith and practice even when we are not standing on this ground. We are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingdom of Eswatini wherever we are in the world. At SANU, our identity is Christian, Missional, Holiness, and we are problem solvers in the world”.
After highlighting the characteristics of Servant Leadership, he challenged all present to live out “Servant Leadership as God’s idea, Servant Leadership by carrying God’s identity and Servant Leadership by communicating God’s ideal.” Click here to listen to his address.
SANU graduates now go out to face what might seem insurmountable challenges. Still, they have been equipped with professional and life skills to be responsible citizens, as is SANU’s mission.
The function was concluded by honouring four staff members who had upgraded their qualifications (two Masters and two doctorates) and seventeen students who had excelled in their programmes.
SANU’s impact on the Kingdom of Eswatini is appreciated.
