By: The Division of Communications & Advancement
Rhodes University is set to host its Autumn Graduation between 2 and 4 April 2025, a momentous occasion honouring the achievements of its graduates while recognising four distinguished individuals with honorary doctorates. Adding to the significance of this year’s ceremony, the University bids farewell to its esteemed Chancellor, Justice Lex Mpati, after more than a decade of inspiring students and young graduates through transformative leadership.
Graduation is a time of celebration, a culmination of years of dedication and perseverance for students, families, and the broader Rhodes University community. This year’s event carries additional significance as four exceptional honourees will be recognised for their contributions to literature, law, education, and social justice. They are:
- Advocate Paul Pretorius, SC (Doctor of Laws – LLD, honoris causa) – An advocate for justice, Pretorius played a pivotal role as Evidence Leader at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, helping to strengthen South Africa’s democratic accountability. His honorary doctorate will be conferred on the 2nd of April at the 09:30 ceremony.
- Tsitsi Dangarembga (Doctor of Letters – DLitt, honoris causa) – A trailblazing Zimbabwean novelist, filmmaker, and activist whose powerful storytelling and commitment to social change have shaped the global discourse on gender, identity, and freedom of expression. Her honorary doctorate will be conferred on the 2nd of April at the 14:30 ceremony.
- Professor Kwesi Kwaa Prah (Doctor of Laws – LLD, honoris causa) – A globally respected scholar and champion of African languages whose work has advanced linguistic inclusivity, decolonisation, and pan-African thought. His honorary doctorate will be conferred on the 3rd of April at the 09:30 ceremony.
- Mrs Eugenia Mbekeni (Doctor of Laws – LLD, honoris causa) – A lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment and youth leadership whose influence has shaped generations of young women across South Africa and beyond. Her honorary doctorate will be conferred on the 4th of April at the 14:30 ceremony.
A Chancellor’s Legacy
This graduation also marks the final ceremony under the chancellorship of Justice Mpati, who has served with distinction and integrity since his installation in 2013. A revered legal mind and the first Rhodes University Law alumnus to serve as President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Justice Mpati’s tenure has been defined by a commitment to justice, transformation, and academic excellence. His departure is the closing of a significant chapter in Rhodes University’s history, and his legacy will undoubtedly endure.