PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, UMTATA

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front

Cachet: The cachet shows the coat of arms of Transkei rendered in fine black line work, with two leopards standing upright on either side of a shield, each gripping the shield's edge with a raised paw. Above the shield a traditional beer pot and grain stalks sit within a decorative crest, while the shield itself carries a cogwheel, a maize cob, a chevron pattern and a bull's head, symbols of industry and agriculture. Below the shield a scroll reads "Imbumba Yamanyama". Beneath the crest, bands of red, white and green ribbon carry the words "Transkei Independence", framed at the top by the dates "1976" and "1981" marking the fifth anniversary being commemorated.

Info card

THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, UMTATA (5c stamp) When Transkei opted for independence, a joint Working Committee on Independence was formed in 1974. The Committee was responsible for all the technical and administrative arrangements relating to the historic occasion. One of its tasks was to provide for the requirements of the future Head of State of the Republic of Transkei. The Committee recommended the building of a presidential palace together with the necessary offices and quarters for the security staff. The South African Government undertook to meet the costs of the construction of the palace and to present it as a gift to the Republic of Transkei to mark the occasion of its independence. The site, a rise on a ridge on the outskirts of Umtata, was selected with great care. It presents a magnificent view of the town, the valley and the forests on the slopes of the Kambi Mountains, with the Umtata River Dam glistening in the distance. A local firm of architects was engaged to design the stately Presidency. On Independence Day, 26 October 1976, the building was nearing completion. Furnishing also took several months and the presidential palace was formally handed over to the Republic of Transkei by the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs on 19 October 1977. THE UNIVERSITY OF TRANSKEI (15c stamp) At the wish of the then Chief Minister of Transkei, the Honourable Paramount Chief K.D. Matanzima, and his Cabinet, the University of Fort Hare was requested during 1974 to establish a branch of the University at Umtata in 1975. Lack of time made this impossible and the Umtata Campus of the University of Fort Hare commenced its academic activities at the beginning of 1976. Temporary buildings were erected on the grounds of the Technical College. A library was established and tuition by means of evening classes was offered in thirteen departments all of which were in the Faculty of Arts. The late Professor H.W. Truter was Dean during 1976, when 132 students were enrolled. On attaining independence on 26 October 1976, the Transkei Government passed the University of Transkei Act (Act 23 of 1976), which brought into existence the University of Transkei as an autonomous university with effect from 1 January 1977. The avowed policy of the University is not to discriminate on grounds of sex, religion, race, colour or national origin. The official opening of the University was held in the Town Hall on 6 May 1977, when Dr. K.D. Matanzima was installed as the first Chancellor of the University by the Chairman of Council, Mr. D.M. Ntusi. The master plan for the development of the permanent campus on land selected by the Prime Minister was approved by the Council and building operations commenced in 1976. Occupation was taken of the new campus in January 1980 on completion of phase one of the building programme, and it was officially inaugurated on 26 April 1980 by His Excellency Paramount Chief Dr. Kaiser D. Matanzima. The University now has five faculties: Arts, Science, Economic Sciences, Law, and Education. The student population has reached the 900 mark. Fourteen Bachelor of Arts and three Honours Bachelor of Arts degrees were awarded at the first graduation ceremony held on 21 April 1979. At the second graduation ceremony held on 26 April 1980 Bachelors and Honours degrees were awarded to 34 candidates in the Faculties of Arts and Economic Sciences. At the third graduation ceremony held on 11 April 1981 Bachelors and Honours degrees were awarded to 57 candidates in the Faculties of Arts and Economic Sciences. Printed by NHW-Pers, Pretoria.

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 26 October 1981 in Umtata, marking the fifth anniversary of Transkei's independence. The two stamps, illustrated by P. Semra'd, depict the State House in Umtata and the University of Transkei, both built in the years immediately following independence. The presidential palace shown on the 5c stamp was built and furnished as a gift from the South African government, formally handed over to Transkei in October 1977, a year after independence was declared. The University of Transkei, shown on the 15c stamp, began as a small branch campus of the University of Fort Hare before becoming a fully independent university with its own faculties within a year of the country's independence.

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