Harold Cressy

(1889-1916)

“It is not generally considered that education has any connection with happiness. Nor is this all. One may state that happiness in the highest and best sense can only be attained by the educated man. By happiness I do not mean the passing and momentary pleasures the gratification of the senses brings, but rather the true and calmer joys of the mind. Such happiness man is by nature entitled to; but it is only the man of education and refinement that lives to taste it. His physical and intellectual faculties being highly developed, he derives the greatest benefit and satisfaction from their exercise; and, being capable of distinguishing the true metal from the counterfeit, he is able to pursue happiness with the greatest hope of success.” - Harold Cressy,"The Necessity of Education", A. P. O., July 29, August 12, 1911.
Sabizlist is dedicated to my great great uncle, Harold Cressy. Even though I never met him because he lived before I was born, knowing what he did and all the people he must have influenced directly and indirectly gave me the courage and motivation to start this business. Harold Cressy was the first colored person who got a university degree in South Africa. He was accepted twice in two different universities, when they saw his color he was refused entry. Thanks to Dr. Abdurahman a city counselor, who pressurized the city council, he was accepted to study at S.A. College. It must have taken him a great deal of courage, faith, will power and determination to have done what he did. I can imagine all the difficulties he must have went through at that time. What he accomplished was apparently impossible at that time but he did it, he never gave up and spent the rest of his life doing what he believed in, teaching and training. He co-founded the Teachers’ League of South Africa. He was a man who did what he believed was right, a man who must have had a great attitude towards life, that everything is possible. He had many obstacles which should of made him let go of his dreams and goals, the people and the government going against him at the time but he didn’t. You are one of the great men who walked this earth knowing that change is possible and you changed history. We will continue what you started to help educate the less fortunate.

Thank you and rest in peace.