Break the rules
HARD WORK: Chemistry students wait their turn to take to the stage and receive their academic qualifications
Monday, 27 March 2017
Break the rules, says Dr Tracey Naledi.
A public health specialist at the Western Cape Department of Health, Naledi urged graduates from the Faculty of Applied Sciences to simply not accept all rules.
It is not easy to determine what rules to break and what not to, but the development of society is about questioning the rules, says Naledi.
Referring to the late Nelson Mandela and the thousands who participated in Sharpville, Naledi says by questioning and breaking the rules of the time, South Africans today reap the benefits of living in a democratic society.
She says around the globe there have been rules that have had to be questioned, such as denying women access to higher education.
“The point is that some rules can be a source of injustice and great pain.”
She urged the class of 2016 to think about rules, look at them from multi-angles, research them and consult others.
“Make informed and concise decisions to follow, ignore or contradict the rules,” she says.
“Realise that your decisions will cost you. There will be consequences…be sure that you are willing to live with the consequences.”
Naledi says breaking rules requires responsibility and in some cases there will be mistakes.
“Making mistakes is a good thing…Every mistake is an opportunity for growth. It’s a teachable moment…because you are asking yourself ‘what happened’…you are reflecting.”
Written by Candes Keating
Email: keatingc@cput.ac.za
Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.
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