September 30: The African Leadership College of Higher Education hosted a very special event on Thursday, 18th September. To mark the 125th birth anniversary of Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of Mauritius and “Father of the Nation”, the university organised a commemorative SSR Day, bringing together college students, educators, and leaders to honour his enduring legacy and inspire the next generation.
This half-day of celebration featured a range of activities in memory of SSR, including the showcasing of “The Legacy of SSR: A Leader’s Journey”, a moving drama recounting his life and achievements, created by the students and faculty members of ALCHE. The Minister of Education, Honorable Dr Mahend Gungapersad attended the event as Chief Guest of Honour, where he paid a heartfelt homage to the beloved “Chacha”.
“I honor SSR, whose vision of free education and the welfare state transforms lives like mine, and I stress that leaders need not only integrity but also empathy, humility, and humanity. SSR lives in the heart of his house, showing how he looks after every evolution and is filled with humane values. Leaders, apart from integrity, need this humane touch, a heart that feeds others, empathy, and emotional intelligence. I consider this essential, whether it is him, Nelson Mandela, or Mahatma Gandhi. I remind students to compete with themselves, to grow into better human beings, and to leave behind values rather than wealth. I close by affirming that SSR’s legacy teaches us to heal wounds with love and compassion, and that is how he continues to inspire us today,” shared the Minister.
A true example of resilience and determination triumphing against all odds, the life of SSR allowed the leaders of ALCHE to promote key values of the institution, such as ethical leadership, purpose, drive, and empowerment.
“I stress that leadership is taught through journeys, grounded in humility, integrity, diversity, and continuous learning, much like SSR, who showed ownership, resilience, and a restless pursuit of excellence. Despite hardship, he remains humble, holds firm to social justice, and unites a diverse nation with integrity. I urge young people to see that their struggles differ from SSR’s, but their tools must remain strong beliefs, values, and sharp, questioning minds. Above all, I call on them to look within, define what they stand for, and let their values guide the future of the country,” stated the CEO of ALCHE Veda Sunassee.
In addition to the Drama Showcase, the programme featured a lively panel discussion, “Young Leaders for Tomorrow’s Mauritius”, during which students and invited guests debated the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation. It concluded with an immersive leadership workshop designed to give students hands-on experience in decision-making and collective leadership.
