Cherry receives honorary doctorate from Rhodes for fearless activism
Nelson Mandela University professor Janet Cherry has been bestowed an honorary doctor of laws degree after putting in the hard yards as a courageous and fearless activist with a long-standing commitment to human rights.
Cherry is the second of five people to be honoured with doctoral degrees during Rhodes University’s three-day graduation celebrations, with chief justice Raymond Zondo receiving the same accolade on Wednesday.
But despite the tangible difference she has made to the sector, Cherry said as much as she was delighted at being recognised, shehad the feeling that time was running out.
“Time is running out and I fear I do not have enough time to continue the work that needs to be done,” Cherry said.
“Time is running out for all of us and not only in SA.
“Now is not the time for cynicism and protests ... it is a challenge for all of us.
“I remain confident that we do have the answers.
“The role of activism is to convince those in power that it is not only inevitable but necessary,” Cherry said.
Rhodes orator and distinguished professor in the university’s
history department, Professor Paul Maylam, said Cherry’s impressive career and continued social activism was second to none.
“When we look back at [Cherry’s] career, one is convinced you cannot be unstruck by her involvement in various capacities and engagements,” Maylam said.
Cherry has been hailed for successfully combining an academic life with activism for a period of 40 years.
She obtained a BA degree from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1982, where she majored in economic history and industrial sociology.
While at UCT, Cherry served as general secretary of the National
Union of SA Students (Nusas) in 1983.
After relocating to Gqeberha in 1984, Cherry established the East Cape Adult Education Project and the PE Crisis Information Centre.
During the mid-1980s, Cherry was active in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and endured a long period of detention without trial in the fight against apartheid.
In 1986, Cherry was recognised as prisoner of the year by Amnesty International.
After four years of activism, working in human rights and adult education NGOs, Cherry completed an honours degree in economic history at UCT and while working as a research consultant for the Black Sash, the Institute for a Democratic Alternative for SA and the Centre for Development Studies, she completed a master’s degree in economic history, which was awarded with distinction.
Between 1992 and 1994, Cherry lectured in political studies and international relations at Rhodes before returning to Gqeberha and setting up a development and research consultancy, ABC Consultants.
From 1996 to 1998, Cherry worked as a member of the research team of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and from 1998 to 2003 as a senior lecturer in the department of sociology at the then University of Port Elizabeth.
In 2001, she was awarded a PhD from Rhodes before being employed as a senior research specialist in the democracy and governance programme of the Human Sciences Research Council from 2003 to 2005.
In 2013, Cherry received the Distinguished Old Rhodian Award for her intellectual and political leadership.
Rhodes University vicechancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela said Cherry’s many years of campaigning tirelessly for human rights and social justice had earned her the honour.