The University of the Western Cape has proudly added to its prestigious list of honorary doctorates.

At a gala ceremony held at the Jakes Gerwel Hall, the university honoured an inspiring group of individuals who have advanced society academically and through their philanthropy and activism.

Honorary doctorates were conferred on the following individuals:

• The late Chris Hani was honoured for his lifetime contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle and his influence on South Africa’s democracy.
• Justice Dikgang Moseneke was recognised for his legal brilliance, commitment to democracy, and numerous court judgments that advanced social justice, dignity, equality, and the rule of law.
• Dr Sydney Zotwana was lauded for developing and promoting Indigenous languages, particularly isiXhosa, in South Africa.
• The late Professor Caroline Pauwel, who was the Rector of Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium was honoured for her thought leadership in higher education and academic contribution to information and communication sciences.
• Dr Mun Choi, President of the University of Missouri, was honoured for supporting and strengthening the long-standing partnership between the University of Missouri and UWC.
• The gold medal was awarded to Justice Albert Louis Sachs for his valour during the Struggle and his work in the legal field.

UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius said he was inspired by every awardee: “Our sincere gratitude goes to our award recipients. Their contributions in areas that align so closely with the core values of UWC, whether in teaching and learning or in service to the community, have not gone unnoticed. We honour them not for their achievements alone but for the lasting impact they have had on our institution and the broader community. It is through their efforts that we continue to uphold the values of excellence and service that define the University of the Western Cape.”

UWC Chancellor Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said honorary doctorates are an extension of the joy of graduation ceremonies.
 

“When I address our annual graduation ceremonies, I tell the graduates that as they go out into the world, their success in their studies should be a source of pride. Your willingness as our honorees to receive these accolades from us adds to the distinction all our graduates enjoy as beneficiaries of this institution,” said Archbishop Makgoba.

“We at UWC recognise the distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty of a remarkable group of leaders in the fields of law, education, culture, and to society more broadly.”

The gala event was hosted by the UWC Registrar, Dr Nita Lawton-Misra, in Jakes Gerwel Hall at the UWC Main Campus in Bellville on Friday, 30 August.
A personal account of Chris Hani
  Lindiwe Hani accepted the Honorary Doctorate awarded to her father, Chris Hani.

Following a moment of silence during the panel discussion to pay tribute to her father’s life and legacy, she was asked what, if anything, might not be public knowledge about her father.

Lindiwe smiled and used the opportunity to share a softer side of her revolutionary dad.
 

“He was a great soldier, he was a great leader, he was an intellectual but he was also an embarrassing father,” said Lindiwe.

She explained that her late sister Khwezi “was extremely boy crazy”.

“She would stay on the phone for hours, and those were the days of landlines. Daddy used to say you have to keep the phone lines open. She’d be there, young love, twirling the phone cord, and my dad would come rushing into the room and shout: ‘Nomakhwezi, you have no decency, you have no concept of telephone, this is not the way we do things!’”

Invited guests laughed along with Lindiwe as she recalled one of her fondest memories of her father.

Hani was a significant figure in South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle. After returning from exile in Zambia following the unbanning of the ANC and SACP in 1990, he became a popular and influential speaker in the townships.

A close associate of Joe Slovo, Hani rose to General-Secretary of the SACP, leading efforts to redefine the party's role.

His assassination on April 10, 1993, by a right-wing extremist came at a crucial time, catalysing South Africa's move toward its first democratic elections.

LISTEN: Prof Tyrone Pretorius congratulates the honorary doctorate awardees