Lennit Max: From farm labourer to Police Commissioner and Doctorate holder
Cape Town - In a remarkable display of determination and perseverance, Lennit Max, the former Western Cape Police Commissioner, has graduated with a Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
This achievement is all the more significant given that Max’s journey began in humble circumstances, leaving school at the tender age of 14 to work as a labourer on farms and maintain railway tracks together with his father.
Max’s story is one of self-education and ambition.
Growing up near Klipdale, he faced numerous challenges, including the loss of his mother at the age of nine.
His childhood was filled with hardships and many times he and his siblings had to walk up to 30 kilometres daily to attend school, due to their family's living situation.
With only a Grade 8 certificate upon leaving school, Max took on various labour-intensive jobs, eventually finding work with the South African Railways at Botriver.
“While still a railway labourer, he started studying through the then Success College to improve his education,” Max shared via a biography on his life.
In 1980, Max joined the South African police force, quickly demonstrating not only his dedication but also his aptitude for rising through the ranks.
Remarkably, he became the youngest police officer of colour in South Africa to hold the ranks from Sergeant to Lieutenant. Over the years, he progressed through 11 levels, long before eventually attaining the position of Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape on 31 May 2003.
“I am delighted that the studies are finished and I hope that the research recommendations will be implemented by those in charge of the police,” Max told Weekend Argus.
Following his graduation ceremony on Thursday, where he was among the 46 students who completed their PhD degrees. In addition to his Doctoral qualification, Max’s academic credentials include a National Diploma in Police Science, B. Proc- Law Degree, LLB- Law Degree, LLM- Masters of Law, CFE- Higher Certificate in Criminal Forensic Investigation and LLD- Doctoral at Law
Max went to complete various roles in the police such as working on the Railway Task Force in combating urban terror on airports, trains and harbours and later became a Major and Lieutenant Colonel to the rank of Lieutenant General at the age of 38.
But while behind the badge, Max did not give up his passion and dedication for education and later also joined politics where he served as the MEC for Community Safety, A DA Public Representative in the Western Cape’s Provincial and National Parliament in 2018.
This week, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) announced that 46 students completed their Phd’s, one of which was Thembelihle Bongwana.
Bongwana completed her Doctor of Philosophy at the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies with her dissertation entitled Public Eating, Food Spaces, and Social Identities in South Africa’s Spur Family Restaurant.
The Summer graduation includes 91 Master;’s graduates and 399 candidates who completed their degrees one of which is Max.
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius completed his final graduation ceremony before his retirement.
Myolisi Gophe, UWC’s communications officer, said the occasion was even more special as Professor Pretorius capped his own daughter, Tammy-Lee Williams, who earned her doctorate in philosophy.
Gophe added the Professor was grateful that his daughter worked hard to complete the programme in time to graduate during his last ceremony
Professor Pretorius shared his parting words: “As I prepare to bid farewell to my role as Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. Leading this incredible institution has been a privilege beyond measure, but it has also been a journey that often felt like navigating a tornado - a whirlwind of challenges, exhilaration, and transformation.”
According to Nathan Adams from the UWC’s Institutional Development, his career at UWC spans over three decades, in which he held various senior leadership.