Durban University of Technology will confer an Honorary Doctor of Technology Degree in Arts and Design to literary figure and activist; Lauretta Ngcobo, in recognition of her outstanding contribution as a literary figure, her exceptional involvement during her political tenure, her inspirational leadership involving major enterprises as well as her significant ongoing community engagement efforts focussing on education, literacy and rural development.
Ngcobo will receive her Honorary Doctorate on Wednesday 16 April 2014 at 09h00, during the Arts and Design Faculty’s graduation ceremony at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre on DUT’s Steve Biko Campus in Durban.
A teacher by training, Ngcobo holds a BA degree from the University of Fort Hare. She has taught locally, including at the Chesterville Secondary School in Durban. While living in London, she taught at several primary schools and also served as Deputy Principal.
Cross of Gold (1981) was her first novel which was set against the backdrop of Sharpeville in 1960. This was followed by Let It Be Told: Black women writers in London (1987), And They Didn’t Die (1990) which depicted the lives of rural African women who lived under apartheid in KZN in the 1950s and 1960s, Fikile Learns To Like Other People (1994) as well as Prodigal Daughters (2012) . She also wrote many academic papers and attended writers’ conferences in Africa, Europe and in the United States of America.
Ngcobo was involved in politics throughout her adult life. In 1963, she left South Africa with her family for political reasons, living as exiles in various countries, including Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and England. She returned to South Africa in 1994, later serving as a member of the KZN Legislature. Between 2000 and 2009, she served as Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and Chairperson of the Women’s Parliament Caucus in the KZN Legislature. She retired as a member of the KZN Legislature in 2009.
In 2006, Ngcobo received the Lifetime Achievement Literary Award. In 2008, she was awarded the National of Order of Ikhamanga from the Presidency, for excelling in the field of literature and for her work championing gender equality in SA.
“DUT recognises these individuals for the outstanding contribution they have made to society through their respective accomplishments. We are indeed honoured that they have accepted the award from the University and look forward to continued involvement by these distinguished individuals in the work of the DUT,” said Dr Thiru Pillay, DUT Registrar (Acting).
– Sinegugu Ndlovu
Pictured: Lauretta Ngcobo
