This year (2025), the University of Fort Hare (UFH) is set to bestow honorary doctorates on three highly distinguished individuals in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to law, social activism, and the arts.
At the upcoming Autumn Graduation in May 2025, two recipients, Mr Mda Mda, and Mr Omar Badsha, will be honoured for their remarkable achievements in their respective fields, each embodying the spirit of resilience, intellectual excellence, and social justice that UFH stands for.
Mr Mda Mda will be awarded the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa while Mr Badsha will receive a Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa.
The third honorary graduand, Advocate Noluthando (Thandi) Dorian Bahedile Orleyn will be awarded a Doctor of Commerce, honoris causa at the Spring Graduation later in the year.
The selection of these candidates followed a rigorous process which entailed a call for nominations to the University community and other stakeholders such as the convocation to propose, for consideration, living individuals who have made outstanding achievements in all spheres of human endeavour nationally and globally.
Once the nominations were received, they were tabled at the Honorary Degrees Committee which then recommended those that met the criteria set out for further consideration by Senate. The honorees who are to be honoured during the upcoming graduation seasons were then further recommended to Council where they were duly approved.
These are individuals 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. Their lives and accomplishments serve as an inspiration and an example worthy of emulation.
Achievements include but are not necessarily limited to:
- Sustained and exceptional service to South Africa, the region or the world at large.
- Distinguished service in the fields of business and the economy, science, and for technological innovation and community service.
- Significant and outstanding contributions to the achievement, protection and promotion of justice, human rights, democracy, peace building and nation building.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Sakhela Buhlungu said the honorary doctorates to be conferred on these illustrious individuals reflect the University’s commitment to acknowledging and celebrating those who have made significant contributions to the betterment of society.
“Their diverse and impactful careers exemplify the university’s values of leadership, education, and social transformation. The UFH community looks forward to celebrating these extraordinary individuals, whose legacies will continue to inspire future generations.”
A Pillar of Legal Activism and Education, Mr Mda Mda
Mr Mda Mda, born on March 25, 1923, in Ncambedlana, Eastern Cape, is a respected lawyer, educator, and lifelong activist. His journey began at Lovedale College, where his passion for history flourished under the tutelage of a British teacher.
Later, he studied for a BA degree at the University of Fort Hare and went on to pursue law at the University of Cape Town. Though financial constraints prevented him from completing his LLB at UCT, Mr Mda’s determination saw him become a successful attorney and a key figure in the legal community.
His activism in the New Unity Movement, his work around the land question in South Africa, and his dedication to training young lawyers have earned him immense respect.
His memoir, Struggle and Hope: Reflections on the Recent History of the Transkian People, published at the age of 96, highlights his lifelong commitment to social justice.
Mr Mda will receive this honour at age 102.
A Revolutionary Photographer and Cultural Icon, Mr Omar Badsha
Mr Omar Badsha is renowned for his work as a photographer, social activist, and cultural historian. Beginning his activism in the late 1960s during the Black Consciousness movement, Badsha was instrumental in the establishment of Afrapix, a collective of photographers documenting the social struggles of South Africa’s oppressed communities.
His powerful photographs and writings, such as Letters to Farzanaha and Imijondolo, provide an enduring record of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and the resilience of its people.
Badsha’s commitment to preserving South Africa’s history led to the creation of South African History Online (SAHO), a digital archive that has become a vital resource for understanding the country’s past.
Awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver in 2018, Badsha’s work continues to inspire generations.
A Trailblazer, Advocate Noluthando Dorian Bahedile Orleyn
Advocate Noluthando Dorian Bahedile Orleyn’s career spans law, business, and social activism, making her a true trailblazer.
A former student of the University of Fort Hare, Adv Orleyn made significant contributions to the Legal Resources Centre, where she advocated against apartheid legislation and trained young legal professionals.
Her pioneering work in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) played a crucial role in the peaceful transition to democracy and the establishment of the post-apartheid labour dispute resolution system.
Orleyn’s leadership roles, including her tenure as national director of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), have cemented her as a key figure in shaping South Africa’s legal landscape.
The Autumn Graduation ceremonies will be held from 5 to 9 May.
