Five getting honorary doctorates

RHODES University will confer honorary doctorates on five world gamechangers.

They are renowned poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, human rights campaigners Dr Sheila Sisulu and Dr Barney Pityana, world renowned artist Dr Penny Siopis, and philanthropist Dr Marguerite Barankitse.

They will be honoured at the university’s graduation ceremonies this week.

Rhodes University will also award a total of 2 443 degrees and diplomas over six ceremonies, the university said.

Of these, 1 327 (54%) are undergraduate bachelor’s degrees and 1 116 (46%) are postgraduate degrees and diplomas.

Just under 300 masters degrees and 78 doctorates will be awarded.

The faculty of science produced 31 PhDs this year, university spokeswoman Veliswa Mhlope said.

The faculty of humanities celebrates a record of 26 PhDs.

In a first for the university, a record 60% of the graduates are women.

The School of African Languages will have its first PhD with a thesis written in isiXhosa this year. Also for the first time, they have six PhD students graduating.

Johnson will receive a doctor of literature (DLitt) degree.

He is considered one of the world’s foremost black poets, innovators and educators, whose career in reggae and slam poetry has spanned four decades, the university said.

Sisulu is being honoured for her role in promoting food security for vulnerable communities across the world.