TUT honours Pretoria jazz artist with Doctorate
Mamelodi’s Vusi Mahlasela is honoured for his use of music as a tool in the fight for freedom and equality in the country.
Pretoria-born jazz artist Vusi Mahlasela is now a three-time honorary degree holder.
Mahlasela was bestowed an honorary Doctorate from the Tshwane University of Technology for his use of music as a tool in the fight for freedom and equality.
He is affectionately known as ‘The Voice’ for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics.
This is the third such qualification to be presented to Mahlasela. He holds an honorary Doctorate from Rhodes University and a second honorary Doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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The “When You Come Back” hitmaker wore a red gown on Friday where the Faculty of Arts and Design’s officially robed him with a maroon and gold belt.
A self-taught guitarist, Mahlasela was raised in Mamelodi, where he still lives, and at a young age became a singer-songwriter and poet-activist.
Mahlasela has released nine albums over the last two decades earning him accolades and awards.
His latest release Shebeen Queen was a celebration musical culture of his hometown, first encountered at his grandmother’s shebeen.
He was also recognised with a national Ubuntu and Culture award for his cultural contributions as well as the National Order of Ikhamanga, recognising him for drawing attention to the injustices that isolated South Africa from the global community during the apartheid years.
His music has come to be internationally acclaimed seeing him share stages with the likes of Paul Simon, Ray LaMontagne and Dave Matthews to name a few.
His iconic song “When You Come Back” was the theme song for the South African Soccer World Cup coverage on ITV in the UK.
Mahlasela now hold the Degree Doctor of Performing Arts (Honoris Causa).
Others who received honorary doctorates on the day:
– former President Kgalema Motlante, for being exemplary in the many roles he has played and with a Public Affairs (Honoris Causa);
– Tsonga musician Dr Thomas Chauke for promoting music as a universal language that transcends racial, ethnic, and cultural barriers;
– artist Ebrahim Badsha for his sterling work as an anti-apartheid cultural activist and leading artists and documentary photographers.
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