“Miss Winfrey had the world to choose from, but she chose our South Africa”

– Vice Chancellor Jansen, UFS

Dr Oprah Winfrey brought a warm day to Bloemfontein in the middle of a bitter cold winter.

24 June 2011

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Inside, however, the audience was engulfed in the excitement and warmth of a very special occasion: media icon and philanthropist Dr Winfrey received an honorary degree in Education from the University of the Free State.

ceremony of its kind in South Africa. The Callie Human Centre was packed with more than 4 500 people who had jumped for the opportunity to attend one of the great milestones in the existence of the university. They had to brave long queues to obtain tickets and to get seated. However, this just added to the excitement of seeing Dr Winfrey in real life.

As guests chattered enthusiastically among themselves while waiting for Ms Winfrey, one could definitely feel the build-up of that vibe South Africans are famous for – just enough to say “Welcome! Wamkelekile!”

The graduation was probably the biggest

utside the Callie Human Centre of the University of the Free State, people were shivering in temperatures below 10o

C.

characteristic of such a momentous event, a palpable air of excitement punctuated the cold air in Bloemfontein as the university laid out the red carpet to honour one of the world’s supreme daughters. Despite calls for the observation of academic solemnity, nothing could stop the crowd from screaming and cheering their loudest as Ms Winfrey made her way towards the podium, accompanied by a procession of academics from the university.

festival. Some people had called in designers to dress them for the occasion, while others fetched their very best clothes from their wardrobes. People tweeted, sent SMS messages, phoned or brought their families with them. Cell phones and cameras captured the occasion.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Free State Premier Ace Magashule

August 2011 | Management Today 35 The ceremony was like a huge reunion or

With all the decorum and earnestness