The Durban University of Technology (DUT) congratulates one of Durban’s most celebrated daughters, Judge Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
For DUT, the announcement is especially meaningful. Nine years ago, on 13 September 2017, the University recognised Judge Pillay’s contribution to human rights and justice by awarding her an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Management Sciences.
Today, DUT joins South Africa and the international community in celebrating another remarkable achievement in the life of a woman who has spent decades standing up for human rights and speaking out against injustice.
Born in Clairwood, Durban, Judge Pillay grew up during apartheid and experienced first-hand the discrimination faced by women and people of colour. Despite these challenges, she pursued a career in law that would eventually take her from Durban to some of the most important international courts and human rights institutions in the world.
Her journey is an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved through education, determination and the courage to stand up for what is right. Her achievements were even more significant considering the racial and gender barriers she had to overcome under apartheid.
Judge Pillay became the first South African to earn a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from Harvard Law School in the United States. In 1995, former President Nelson Mandela nominated her to the High Court of South Africa, where she became the country’s first black woman to serve as a judge. Her appointment marked an important milestone in South Africa’s legal history and opened another chapter in a career that would take her onto the international stage.
Judge Pillay went on to serve at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she helped advance international law relating to genocide and sexual violence. She later served as a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, dealing with some of the most serious crimes under international law.
Between 2008 and 2014, she served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking out against human rights violations and advocating for people whose voices were often ignored.
Throughout her career, Judge Pillay has been particularly committed to women’s rights. She has challenged discrimination and spoken out against sexual violence, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and other abuses affecting women and girls. Her work has taken her across the world but her roots remain firmly in Durban, making this Nobel Peace Prize recognition particularly special for the city and the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
For DUT, Judge Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize is more than an international accolade. It is also a proud reminder of the University’s association with a remarkable South African whose life’s work has made a difference to people across the world. When DUT awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2017, the University recognised her courage, achievements and commitment to justice.
Nine years later, the Nobel Peace Prize celebrates the very same qualities that DUT acknowledged when she walked across the graduation stage at the Steve Biko Campus. Her story also carries an important message for DUT students and graduates. Judge Pillay’s journey demonstrates that where you come from does not have to determine how far you can go, and that education can open doors to opportunities that may once have seemed impossible.
Her achievements reflect the values of DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, particularly the University’s commitment to developing adaptive graduates who are socially responsible and who use their knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society.
DUT is proud to have recognised Judge Pillay’s contribution to humanity in 2017 and even prouder to see her achievements celebrated on the world stage. The University extends its warmest congratulations to Judge Navi Pillay on receiving the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Pictured: Judge Navanethem (Navi) Pillay.
Alan Khan
