Honorary Degrees
Every year, we confer honorary degrees on distinguished people from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to society.
About the Honorary Degrees at Fort Hare
The Higher Education Act and the Statute of the University of Fort Hare grant the University authority to award honorary degrees. The Statute provides that a proposal to confer an honorary degree must be submitted in writing to the Registrar by a member of Council, Senate or the Convocation. Recommendations for the award of honorary degrees are made by the Honorary Degrees Committee to Senate.
The University of Fort Hare will award honorary doctoral degrees to individuals in order to recognise outstanding achievements in all spheres of human endeavour nationally and globally. The recipient of an honorary degree is an individual whose personal qualities and values are consistent with those which exemplify the goals and ideals of the University as well as the Constitutional values of the Republic. These are individuals whose selfless lives and accomplishments serve as an inspiration and an example worthy of emulation.
Such achievements may include but are not necessarily limited to,
(i) sustained and exceptional service to South Africa, the region or the world at large,
(ii) distinguished service in the fields of business and the economy, science, and for technological innovation and community service, as well as
(iii) significant and outstanding contribution to the achievement, protection and promotion of justice, human rights, democracy, peace building and nation building.
Eligibility
Recognising Excellence: Who May Be Nominated
- A candidate for an honorary degree shall be a living person of great accomplishment and should have made an outstanding contribution on a national or international scale. The contribution may be to the advancement of the candidate’s discipline or field of work, or it may be to artistic, cultural, or remarkable public/community service in a particular field.
- A candidate’s record should be of such a nature that the conferment of a degree would bring credit to the University, and would not be at variance with the spirit of the South African Constitution and the University’s vision, mission, values, goals and strategic objectives.
- An “outstanding contribution”, especially when it comes to conferment of the degree of doctor, would usually refer to extraordinary achievement over an entire career or a sustained period of time and not merely a single achievement. Mere success in a career or social role is insufficient. There should be evidence of a contribution that is beyond the norm which is characteristic of a leader in the field.
- Honorary degrees from the University of Fort Hare will not be confered to current University of Fort Hare members of Council, Senate or their committees and its employees, but may, in exceptional cases, be conferred on former University of Fort Hare employees.
- Nominees whose profiles reflect multiple conferrals of honorary degrees by South African Universities, are considered on a case by case basis. In the case of nominees who have been awarded honorary degrees by another higher education institution in the Eastern Cape Province, a cooling off period of at least three years shall be required before they can be conferred an honorary degree at the University of Fort Hare.
Posthumous Award of Honorary Degrees
An Honorary Degree shall not be conferred posthumously. However, such an award shall be made to a candidate who died after Council has approved the award.
Award of Honorary Degree in Absentia
Except under extraordinary circumstances, no honorary degree will be conferred in absentia or at a place or occasion other than a designated graduation venue and ceremony of the University.
In the exceptional circumstances where graduation in absentia is allowed the graduand shall provide an appropriate address to be read on her or his behalf at the respective graduation ceremony.
Revocation of Honorary Degree Award
The University reserves the right to revoke the award of an honorary degree where proven evidence comes to light that an awardee engaged in conduct which is at variance with the spirit of the South African Constitution and the University’s vision, mission, values, goals and strategic objectives either before or after the award of the degree.
The Honorary Degrees Committee shall consider evidence adduced and make recommendations to Senate and Council regarding the revocation of an honorary degree.
From Nomination to Award
The Process
1. Nominate
Submit in writing
A proposal to confer an honorary degree must be submitted in writing to the Registrar by a member of the Council, Senate or the Convocation.
Seconded by 5 people
The proposal must be seconded by at least five members of the relevant constituency
Reach the Registrar on time
The proposal must be must reach the Registrar on or before the date published in the University calendar, accompanied by a detailed statement indicating the reasons for the proposed conferment.
2. Verification & Selection
The Comittee
The Registrar must refer such proposals to the Honorary Degrees Committee, which consists of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (T&L), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RPI) , Deans, members of Council on Senate and three members of Senate appointed by Senate.
Senate Vote
(i) The names of the candidates recommended by the Honorary Degrees Committee shall be submitted to Senate, accompanied by the curriculum vitae (“CV”) of the candidates and an appropriate statement describing the reasons for the proposal. (ii) Without discussion of the candidates or their CVs, Senate shall vote by way of a secret ballot on the conferment or not of an honorary degree on the candidate. (iii)The chairperson of Senate shall have an ordinary vote on each resolution and, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.
Council Vote
(i) The name(s) of the candidate(s) who obtained an ordinary majority of the votes of the members of Senate present at the meeting shall be submitted to Council. (ii) Without discussing the candidate, Council shall vote by way of a secret ballot on the candidate(s) recommended by Senate, provided that Council shall not discuss the candidates or their CVs or consider any proposal not supported by Senate.
3. Conferment of Honorary Degrees
Notification
The Registrar shall write to awardees approved by Council, informing them of the decision to confer an honorary degree upon them. Thereafter, in consultation with the relevant Faculty under which the honorary degree falls, the Registrar shall make the necessary logistical and other arrangements.
Conferred
Honorary degrees shall be conferred during ordinary graduation ceremonies constituted for the awarding of qualifications.
Non-Acceptance
Where a candidate does not accept an honorary degree, the nomination shall be deemed to have lapsed, and the honorary degree will not be conferred.
Confidentiality
Care should be taken to ensure strict confidentiality at all stages of the honorary degree process. In particular, there should be no communication with prospective degree recipients regarding a likely degree until after the University Council has approved the award, and then, only through the University Registrar.
Recipients
2020 - Current
- JUSTICE MANDISA MURIEL LINDELWA MAYA, LLD, 2021
- JUSTICE DIKGANG MOSENEKE , LLD, 2021
- DR SINDIWE MAGONA, D LITT ET PHIL, 2021
- MR OMAR BADSHAR , D PHIL , 2025
- MR MDA MDA , LLD , 2025
2010 - 2019
- LIVINGSTONE MQOTSI (POSTHUMOUSLY) D.LITT ET PHIL, 2010
- JUSTICE ZAKERIA MOHAMMED YACOOB LLD, 2010
- MR JEREMY CRONIN LLD, 2011
- MR SAMUEL EDWARD KRUNE MQHAYI (POSTHUMOUSLY) D.LITT ET PHIL, 2011
- LEEPILE MOSHWEU TAUNYANE D ED, 2012
- SADIE FORMAN D SOC SC, 2012
- ARNOLD MAKHENKESI STOFILE D. THEOL, 2012
- DR JOHN PAMPALLIS D ED, 2013
- DR THULISILE MADONSELA LLD, 2013
- DR NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA D ADMIN, 2014
- REV DR SIMON GQUBULE D THEOLOGY, 2014
- DR XAVIER FRANCIS CARELSE D SC , 2015
- DR DANIEL ALEXANDER JORDAAN D ADMIN, 2015
- MR NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO LLD, 2016
- MS IIIANA NADI ALBINO D ED, 2016
- DR PUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA D SOC SC, 2016
- DR IMTIAZ SOOLIMAN D HEALTH SC, 2016
- PROF DORCAS NOMPUMELELO JAFTA D LITT ET PHIL,2016
- MR GILPIN GILBERT TOZAMILE MATSHAYANA D EDUCATION, 2016
- DR PATRICE TLHOPANE MOTSEPE D COMM, 2017
- MR RAYMOND MPHAKAMISI MHLABA D SOC SC, 2017
- MRS RITA MARLEY (ALFARITA CONSTANTIA ANDERSON) D SOC SC, 2017
- JUDGE PRESIDENT D. MLAMBO LLD, 2019
- MS T TISEO, DOCTOR OF NURSING, 2019
- MR MANDLA LANGA, D LITT ET PHIL, 2019
2000 - 2009
- MR BONGANI AUGUSTINE KHUMALO D ADMIN, 2000
- HONOURABLE JACOB ZUMA LLD, 2001
- ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND MPILO TUTU D THEOL, 2001
- MR HECTOR MAKHAYA MJANA MA (MUSIC), 2001
- MR JOSEPH RIFFAT LARRY KOTSOKOANE D AGRIC, 2001
- DR HLOPHE BRIGALIA BAM D ARTS IN PHIL, 2002
- DR KHOTSO MOKHELE DSC, 2002
- MR JOHN NKADIMENG D COMM, 2002
- MS NOSIMO BALINDLELA D ARTS IN PHIL, 2002
- MRS MASECHELE KHAKETLA D LITT ET PHIL, 2002
- MR ANDILE NGCABA D COMM, 2002
- MR JOE RAJARATNAM DSC, 2002
- MR KHAYA NGQULA D COMM, 2002
- DR TAMSANQA WILKINSON KAMBULE DSC, 2004
- MR SIZWE ERROL NXASANA DCOMM, 2004
- MS LULI CALLINICOS D LITT ET PHIL, 2005
- PROF JAMES STEPHEN MZILIKAZI KHUMALO D LITT ET PHIL, 2005
- MS WENDY YVONNE NOMATHEMBA LUHABE D COMM, 2005
- MS LESLEY – ANNE FOSTER D SOC SC, 2006
- DR PETER MAGUBANE D PHIL, 2006
- MR POLELO LAZARUS ZIM D COMM, 2006
- DR WISEMAN NKUHLU D COMM, 2008
- DR JACQUES ROGGE LLD, 2008
- MS GCINA MHLOPHE-BECKER D LITT ET PHIL, 2008
- PROF GORDON SANDILE SIBIYA DSC, 2008
1990 - 1999
- DR OLIVER REGINALD TAMBO LLD, 1991
- DR NIARRA SUDARKASA D LITT ET PHIL, 1993
- THE HONOURABLE NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA LLD, 1992
- THE HONOURABLE GOVAN ARCHIBALD MBEKI D LITT ET PHIL, 1994
- MR ROBINSON GILBERT SIPHO MAKALIMA D ED, 1994
- THE HONOURABLE IBRAHIMA FALL LLD, 1995
- THE HONOURABLE ROBERT MUGABE D COM, 1995
- DR GAOSITWE CHIEPE D ED, 1996
- MS FRIEDA MATTHEWS D LITT ET PHIL, 1996
- MR ERNEST MANCOBA D LITT ET PHIL, 1996
- DR NTSU MOKHEHLE LLD, 1996
- MR FWANYANGA MULIKITA LLD, 1996
- DR DONALD MTIMKULU D ED, 1996
- MR DULLAH OMAR LLD, 1997
- PROF JM MOHAPELOA D ED, 1997
- MRS ALBETINA NONTSIKELELO SISULU D LITT ET PHIL, 1997
- MWALIMU KAMBARAGE JULIUS NYERERE LLD, 1998
- DR ROBERT MANGALISO SOBUKWE (POSTHUMOUSLY) LLD, 1998
- MR STEVE BANTU BIKO (POSTHUMOUSLY) D SOC SC, 1998
- DR ALFRED Z MSEZANE DSC, 1998
- DR GABRIEL MOLEHE SETILOANE D THEOL, 1998
- MR KARAMCHUD KRISH MACKERDHUJ D ED, 1998
- MS ZENZI MIRIAM MAKEBA D LITT ET PHIL, 1998
1980 - 1989
- MR JUSTICE GEORGE GLAESER ANDERSON MUNNIK LLD, 1989
1970 - 1979
- PARAMOUNT CHIEF KAIZER DALIWONGA MATANZIMA LLD, 1974
- JAMES RANISI JOLOBE D LITT ET PHIL, 1974
- MR BENJAMIN JOHN PETER TYAMZASHE MA 1976
- REGINALD CINGO D ED, 1977
- JAMES GEORGE BENJAMIN MOLEFE D THEOL, 1978
- MR GEORGE MILWA MNYALUZA PEMBA MA , FINE ARTS, 1979
- CHIEF LENNOX LESLIE WONGAMA SEBE LLD, 1979
Nominate an Exceptional Individual
Do you know someone whose exceptional achievements and contributions deserve the highest recognition? We invite you to put forward a nomination for an honorary degree. By nominating a distinguished individual, you help us celebrate excellence and honour those who have made a lasting impact in their field and in society.