The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted an Autumn Graduation Gala Dinner to celebrate the Honorary Doctorate recipient, Dr Gcina Mhlophe, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga, on Tuesday evening, 28 May 2024.

Earlier that day, Dr Mhlophe who is the world-renowned South African storyteller, author, poet, playwright, activist and actress, was conferred by the DUT Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts, at the closing ceremony of the DUT 2024 Autumn Graduation at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban. She was recognised for her exceptional contribution in the world of Arts, particularly in literature and the entertainment industry.

The programme director at the dinner was Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT. He began by acknowledging the esteemed guests at the dinner, the DUT Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi, DUT Council Chairperson, Mr Wiseman Madinane in absentia, members of DUT Council present, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the guest of honour, Dr Gcina Mhlophe together with her family and friends, Trustees from the DUT Foundation, Executive and Senior Management of the university, Ms Nompumelelo Madonda representing the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Eric Applegren from eThekwini Municipality, Counsul-Generals representing the government and people of Finland, Indonensia, the People’s Republic of China, Seychelles together with members from the diplomatic corps, the family of the late Mr ML Sultan, one of the founders of DUT, members of the DUT Convocation, DUT Student Representative Council and Student Parliament, leaders from the DUT Institutional Forum, Gender Forum and the labour consultative forum.

Mr Khan revealed that the dinner was hosted to celebrate DUT excellence and its adaptive graduates. He indicated that after a wonderful autumn season of graduation events, the university was looking forward to celebrating in style.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe addressing the guests at the DUT 2024 Autumn Graduation Gala Dinner.

“We also assembled this evening in celebration of the newest member of the DUT family, Dr Gcina Mhlophe. Congratulations Dr Mhlophe on being awarded the Honorary Doctorate from DUT,” added Mr Khan.

Delivering the welcome remarks at the dinner was the DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola. He extended a warm welcome from the DUT family to Dr Mhlophe whom he recognised as the beacon of African storytelling.

“Welcome to the 41st Honorary degree, awarded by DUT since its inception by the merger of the two Technikons. Those of you who are close to religion will remember what the 41st mean. It is associated with the new beginnings. I hope that this 41st Honorary degree will represent the new beginning for DUT and South Africa as a whole,” said Prof Nemavhola.

In addition, Prof Nemavhola indicated that as the university honoured Dr Mhlophe, it also celebrated its significance achievements. He shared the graduation statistics indicating that this year DUT graduated 7021 students (including Higher Certificates) across all qualifications. He shared that there were 61 Doctoral degrees, 131 Master’s degrees, 106 students were awarded the prestigious Dean’s Merit Awards for academic excellence and 218 students graduated Cum Laude. In closing Prof Nemavhola encouraged the belief in power of collaboration, where great things could be achieved.

The DUT Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa had the honour of introducing Dr Gcina Mhlophe to the guests. Dr Mthethwa was humbled and honoured to introduced the award-winning treasure of the African soil, Dr Mhlophe whom she described as creative, distinctive and impactful, which is what DUT stands for. Dr Mthethwa shared that Dr Mhlophe’s musical skills and talents had produce dozens of musical outputs performed in London. She further shared that Dr Mhlophe has received 14 national and international awards, expressing her significance impact on preserving the history of South Africa through storytelling.

The ecstatic Dr Mhlophe took to the stage to express her sincere gratitude to DUT for honouring her. She said it was a momentous occasion which will go down in history that on 28 May 2024, DUT had awarded her an Honorary Doctorate.

“Thank you DUT, it was something so special. When we remember this day, it will be there. When people question what I was doing on this day, 28 May 2024, people will say she was at DUT wearing a reg gown. I am humbled and appreciative of this honour,” shared Dr Mhlophe who also extended her appreciation to her family and friends for the love and support throughout her journey.

The DUT Vice-Chancelor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu delivered his congratulatory message to Dr Mhlophe. He referred to Dr Mhlophe as an academic artist, stating that in a short space of time she demonstrated the wealth of knowledge that she possessed that needed to be shared with the DUT students.

Entertaining the guests was the Clermont based musical band called Vukile Music Band and a group of second year Drama and Production Studies students from DUT who performed special songs dedicated to Dr Mhlophe.

In closing the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane assured Dr Mhlophe that the Honorary Doctorate conferred to her by DUT was very legit as DUT is a registered public university. He thanked the esteemed guests, DUT staff and students for gracing the DUT 2024 Autumn Graduation Gala Dinner, which marked a special day in the calendar of the university.

“Thank you Dr Mhlophe for accepting out honour and joining a respectable of 40 Honorary Doctorate recipients, with you being the 41st. We look forward to your continued association with our 20 year old university,” concluded Dr Maditsane.

Pictured: DUT Chancellor, Ms Nonkululeko Nyembezi handing over a gift to Dr Gcina Mhlophe.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.

Simangele Zuma