People who have committed to creating culturing knowledge, music, equality and community upliftment through the arts have been awarded for their years of effort with honorary doctorates!
Cape Town, South Africa (01 August, 2023)—In a world where serving the community often doesn’t come with many accolades, four people with different lines of impact were awarded for exactly this by the University of Cape Town with honorary doctorates.
In case you didn’t know, honorary doctorates applaud those who have done remarkable things, are community leaders or have added to knowledge pursuits of their own accord, granted by universities around the world.
The recent awardees span from those who uplifted communities through dance to those who have empowered women in forgotten spaces. Meet them:
And the Honorary Doctorate Goes to…
Josette Cole, Community Leader Creating Cultural Knowledge
Dr Cole was awarded a doctorate in social science for her committed work to creating cultural knowledge.
Her dedication has been to honouring marginalised Western Cape communities through various documentation. Thanks to her, Cape communities have a better understanding of their heritage; keeping it alive and accessing its unpacking.
Tete Mbambisa, Community Leader in Music and Passion Despite Oppression
Dr Mbambisa followed music despite the limited opportunities and oppression of South Africa’s past.
Throughout his many years of influence through piano, composing and jazz influence, Mbambisa has earned his place as a force in South African music history. He was honoured with a doctorate of Music.
Dr Colette Solomon, Community Leader Helping Balance the Equality Scales for Women
Dr Solomon has long been focused on balancing the equality scales in South Africa, especially for women.
Her work as the director of the Women on Farms Project has helped women have a voice in rural areas, lending its strengths to empowering rural development with marginalised groups at the forefront of her endeavours.
Related Story
Dr Solomon has been awarded an honorary doctorate of Social Science; a perfect fit for the social justice activist.
Veronica Williams, Community Leader who used Ballet to Break Glass Ceilings
Dr Williams passed away last year, but her impact through the arts is still felt.
After being removed from District Six, she could no longer participate in the ballet classes she so loved. However, she refused to give up on dance and decided to found her own ballet school where non-racism, non-sexism and non-sectarianism were the non-profit’s founding pillars.
She helped uplift youth through dance the same way she’d been enchanted. In her own capacity, she went on to receive awards for her dancing as a high-ranking candidate.
Thanks to her, a new generation of dancers in the Western Cape was created. For all of this, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of Music.
by 