Bam is best known for her role as the former chairwoman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and is respected for her smooth management of the electoral system in SA under her watch.
Bam was honoured by CPUT with a Doctorate in Education (DEd) and dedicated the honour to the hard working women of South Africa.
“I accept this humbling honour because I think it represents more than just an honour for an individual but it is a symbolic recognition of all the people who have moulded me into who I am today,” she said.
“I also take this honour to be a recognition of the strides women have made against all odds and adversities.”
Addressing the crowd during the graduation ceremony Bam encouraged universities to engage with their communities and not be ivory towers.
Bam also warned graduates to defy the lures of self-centredness and tenders, but instead to listen to the cries of their communities and be socially responsive.
She added that such work would ensure that when graduates pass on they would leave behind a legacy and not a vacancy.
More than 500 certificates, diplomas and degrees were awarded during the ceremony including two doctorates.
The Vice-chancellor’s medal was awarded to Carike Kriel, B Ed (HONS), who obtained 35 distinctions out of the 37 subjects with a final aggregate of 82.37% over the five years of study.
Dean’s Medallist Charlton Davids, B Ed, obtained 38 distinctions out of the 40 subjects with a final aggregate of 81.37% over the four years of study.
