Cape Town - The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is preparing to honour giants in the field of academia, philanthropy, and activism.
Theologian, author and political activist Dr Allan Boesak, author and academic professor Zoë Wicomb, humanitarian and Gift of the Givers (GOTG) founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Africanist thinker, author, and sociology academic, professor Kwesi Kwaa Prah, will be recipients of honorary doctorate degrees, from UWC, with some already conferred in 2021.
Honorary doctorates and Gold Medals for 2021 and 2022 will take place during a gala ceremony on November 30.
UWC said the awards were given to individuals who have made significant and extraordinary contributions to the upliftment of society.
Boesak acknowledged the honorary doctorate as a “wonderful gift from UWC”.
He holds 14 doctorates from universities across the globe, but this would be the first from a university in South Africa, his alma mater.
“My relationship with UWC is an intimate one, as a student in the 1960s and as chaplain to the university students in the 1970s and 80s…
“This recognition means more than I have words for. I am deeply humbled and grateful for this.”
When reached for a comment, GOTG project manager, Ali Sablay said Dr Sooliman had just arrived in Syria for the launch of GOTG Ihsan campaign, to deliver 22 trucks of supplies for Syrian refugees inside Syria, and handing over 200 houses, all funded by GOTG.
On the recognition, Wicomb said: “UWC has a special place in my heart.
“All my work, ever since I left there, has been about the Cape and I was a student there in the bad old days when it was still a bush college so I’m very much invested in the transformation.
“I am very pleased to be offered something like this.”
Gold medals will be awarded to Al Baraka Bank founder, advocate AB Mohamed, Net vir Pret’s Derek Joubert and Peter Takelo, Sean Lance and Peter Wilson for establishing the African Leadership Institute, former SA deputy president and UN under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka.
UWC rector and vice-chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius said: “This list of recipients is indeed worthy of our recognition and abiding appreciation for their national and international contributions to all spheres of society and for the upliftment of people through arts, literature, law, humanitarianism, academia and advocacy.”
