De Lille installed as Chancellor
2003-08-20. Prominent politician, trade unionist and community activist, Mrs. Patricia de Lille, who accepted her election by the Council to the position of Chancellor for a four year term, will be formally installed as Chancellor in a ceremony at the Durban Institute of Technology on the 22nd August.
When her election was announced earlier this year, Vice Chancellor,
Professor Dan J. Ncayiyana, said, "Mrs. De Lille's nomination came from
within the DIT community four months ago and was recommended by the
Institutional Forum to the Council. The Chancellor is the
ceremonial head of the institution who confers its degrees and diplomas
at graduation. There is a strong ambassadorial role particularly
in representing the institution among benefactors and donors."
De Lille enjoys enormous public prominence with a current career in politics having been involved in the liberation struggle and the trade union movement. She started out working as a laboratory technician for a paint company in Cape Town in 1974. In her trade union work, she was elected to the national executive committee of the South African Chemical Workers' Union (SACWU) and subsequently Vice President of the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU).
She was also elected to serve on the National Executive of the Pan Africanist Movement (PAM) in 1989 and following the unbanning of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) was elected to its national executive. She led the organisation's delegation at the multi-party negotiations for a new democratic dispensation which took place at the World Trade Centre. Elected to parliament in 1994, she has served on various portfolio committees and performed in the role of PAC chief whip until her resignation from the party a few months ago to form the Independent Democrats.
De Lille is a trustee of amongst others the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Helen Suzman Foundation, the National Association of People Living with Aids, Nazareth House Aids Orphans, Diocesan College (Bishops) and a patron of Age-in-Action (SA Council for the Aged).
She has welcomed her election by the Council expressing enthusiasm about becoming engaged in promoting the first merged institution in the university and technikon sector in South Africa. "The DIT has led the pack in the transformation of the higher education landscape in our country. It is widely acknowledged as the powerhouse of technological education with an impressive record in teaching, research and innovation. We are a six-campus institution with over 20000 students. We have every expectation that Mrs. De Lille's role as chancellor will enhance the DIT's standing nationally and continentally," added Ncayiyana.
Installation of Ms Patricia de Lille MP
as Chancellor of the Durban Institute of Technology:
Date: Friday 22nd August
Time: 5.30pm for 6.00pm
Venue: Fred Crookes Sports Hall
Steve Biko campus
Mansfield Road
De Lille enjoys enormous public prominence with a current career in politics having been involved in the liberation struggle and the trade union movement. She started out working as a laboratory technician for a paint company in Cape Town in 1974. In her trade union work, she was elected to the national executive committee of the South African Chemical Workers' Union (SACWU) and subsequently Vice President of the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU).
She was also elected to serve on the National Executive of the Pan Africanist Movement (PAM) in 1989 and following the unbanning of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) was elected to its national executive. She led the organisation's delegation at the multi-party negotiations for a new democratic dispensation which took place at the World Trade Centre. Elected to parliament in 1994, she has served on various portfolio committees and performed in the role of PAC chief whip until her resignation from the party a few months ago to form the Independent Democrats.
De Lille is a trustee of amongst others the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Helen Suzman Foundation, the National Association of People Living with Aids, Nazareth House Aids Orphans, Diocesan College (Bishops) and a patron of Age-in-Action (SA Council for the Aged).
She has welcomed her election by the Council expressing enthusiasm about becoming engaged in promoting the first merged institution in the university and technikon sector in South Africa. "The DIT has led the pack in the transformation of the higher education landscape in our country. It is widely acknowledged as the powerhouse of technological education with an impressive record in teaching, research and innovation. We are a six-campus institution with over 20000 students. We have every expectation that Mrs. De Lille's role as chancellor will enhance the DIT's standing nationally and continentally," added Ncayiyana.
Installation of Ms Patricia de Lille MP
as Chancellor of the Durban Institute of Technology:
Date: Friday 22nd August
Time: 5.30pm for 6.00pm
Venue: Fred Crookes Sports Hall
Steve Biko campus
Mansfield Road
