Honorary doctorates for Dr Farisani and Prof Marwala

The University of Venda has honoured Dr Tshenuwani Farisani and Prof Tshilidzi Marwala with honorary doctorate degrees.

The struggle icon, Dr Farisani, and Prof Marwala, an academic expert, were honoured during the university’s graduation ceremony held at its auditorium on 10 November.

Univen, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary, gave Dr Farisani a doctoral degree in theology, while Prof Marwala was honoured with a doctoral degree in sciences.

According to the confirmation letter sent to Dr Farisani, who was also a dean of the Lutheran Church of South Africa, the decision to confer this degree was taken on October 20, 2022, during a special council meeting. Dr Farisani was honoured in consideration of the role he played in fighting against apartheid, when he was also detained by the then Venda Government before he went into exile.

Dr Farisani, who provided refuge to many MK members, was appointed as MEC for Agriculture and Transport in the Limpopo Government after the dawn of democratic government. During his time as MEC, Dr Farisani launched Operation Hakela Hakela, and Operation Ndadzi, which were meant to enforce the payment of traffic fines and enforcement of traffic laws.

Professor TD Thobejane, who is a coordinator for the Gender Studies Unit, a senate member and researcher at Univen, said that he led a three-senate-member panel of the university that presented the proposal to the council. The information used in the proposal was compiled by David Musetha, a secretary of the Peter Dambuza Foundation.

“As an additional member of Univen Alumnae, Musetha felt that Dr Farisani, Pandelani Nefolovhodwe and David Malada’s contribution in fighting against apartheid must be honoured and the university is still considering that,” said Professor Thobejane.

Mbulaheni (David) Malada, better known as “Peter Dambuza”, died in August 2020. The Makonde-born member of MK was described as fearless, selfless, and dedicated to the freedom of the country.

During the celebration of Dr Farisani’s life held at the Lutheran Church in Thohoyandou recently, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni, who is the vice-chancellor and principal of Univen, pledged that the application of honouring Dambuza was being considered.

Prof Tshilidzi Marwala is the University of Johannesburg’s vice-chancellor and principal. In July this year, he was announced the rector of the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo, Japan. He will take up this job on 1 March next year and will be the first African to be appointed in this prestigious position.

News - Date: 24 November 2022

Ndivhuwo Musetha

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