Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute launched its much awaited Alumni Association on 23 February 2024 at the Institutes Mgolombane Hall. The launch which saw generations of former students from different decades come together to make this dream a reality, marked a new chapter in the proud 94 year history of Fort Cox. Principal and CEO, Mr Mkhululi Mankazana said a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step and with today’s launch we are taking the first step, and we will continue to move forward. “As an Institute, we have got a vision, we know what we want to achieve, and this association will grow from strength to strength. In 2030, Fort Cox will be celebrating its centenary, and we must build it towards that milestone and the Fort Cox Alumni through this association, will play a critical role in ensuring we achieve that,” said Mankazana. Guest speaker for the day and first Black Principal of the Institute Dr Bonile Jack - Pama marked this launch as a historical day, because Fort Cox is one of the historical pillars of the agricultural sector, not only in the Eastern Cape, but also South Africa and the entire region. “With project re-build Fort Cox underway, today’s launch is one of the critical blocks. With our numbers still relatively low compared to other Institutions worldwide, we must remember its not always a game of how many numbers, but the quality of contributions that Alumni members can make to their alma mater,” he said. He urged the members to not only join the association, but to take an active interest in what the Institute is doing, in terms of sport, academics, research work and projects etc. “Your first contribution should be to promote Fort Cox in your individual spaces by posting about the Institute on social media, wearing alumni corporate wear, and declaring that you are who you are today because of Fort Cox,” said Jack-Pama. The Alumni Launch included the nomination and election of an interim executive structure to oversee and run the immediate matters of the association, and it would be led by the Interim Chairperson, Mr Vusi Mpokeli. In speaking for the first time as the Interim Chairperson, Mpokeli said him and his executive will echo the Principal’s sentiment of not talking too much and doing less but rather speak less and for actions to speak for themselves. “As the first elected leadership in this journey, we are going to work together and we will need everybody’s support, as there is a lot that we need to do and plan in order to support Fort Cox. We must do as Council Chairperson Dr Lupuwana suggested, to go out and mobilize resources for Fort Cox so it can rise again and progress,” said Mpokeli.