Wits honours late jazz diva Sibongile Khumalo with a doctorate in music
The famous cultural activist died in January this year
Late operatic mezzo-soprano and jazz diva Sibongile Khumalo was honoured with a doctorate in music by Wits University for being an ardent proponent of arts education.
The doctorate was conferred on Wednesday during a virtual graduation ceremony, and her daughter Ayanda Khumalo accepted it on behalf of the family.
Wits University dean of the faculty of humanities Prof Garth Stevens praised Khumalo for her ability to use music for social upliftment and justice.
“She inspired the creation of new music by South African composers, both in the classical and jazz genres.
“It is fitting that the University of the Witwatersrand should honour Sibongile Khumalo and her work by bestowing on her a posthumous Honorary Doctorate Degree in Music,” he said.
Ayanda said the family was humbled and filled with gratitude and pride.
“Sadly, she never got to experience this moment physically but I know that she is with us in spirit.”
The famous cultural activist died in January.
Ayanda said when her mother died she already knew that the institution was going to honour her and was looking forward to the day.
Reading her mother’s speech, Ayanda said: “... a tworoomed house was a small space where dreams were born, nurtured, given wind and allowed to soar despite the ravages of the apartheid environment.”
Khumalo’s father, Prof Khabi Mgoma who died in 1999, was also awarded an honorary doctorate in 1987 by Wits University for his contribution to the preservation and development of SA music.
‘‘ She inspired the creation of new music