A host of ‘change-makers’ including Motsepe, Gore, Madonsela, Lewis and Section 27 to be honoured by Wits

Wits University is set to host its first cluster of graduation ceremonies from 23 to 31 March, during which time more than 5 000 students will have degrees awarded to them.

Exemplary business leaders Patrice Motsepe and Adrian Gore, legal experts Advocate Thuli Madonsela and Carole Lewis, Section 27, the Legal Resources Centre and a host of other social justice activists will also share in the spoils during the March graduation season.

Wits vice-chancellor and principal, professor Adam Habib said, “On behalf of the University, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the graduands and those who supported them – their families, friends and the Wits staff who walked with them through their journey.

“Our graduations are moments of celebration and it is with great pleasure that Wits will be honouring several ‘change makers’ who are all societal leaders in their respective fields, many of whom are already Witsies.”

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In recognition of their monumental contribution to society and their respective fields, Motsepe, Gore, Patricia Horn, Prof. Eddie Webster, Madonsela, Judge Carole Lewis, Prof. Harvey Dale, the Legal Resources Centre and Section 27 will join the ranks of a number of other achievers previously recognised by the institution. A total of six honorary doctorates and three gold medals will be awarded.

The 2017 March graduations are historic in the life of the university as it marks the first occasion that Wits University has awarded gold medals to organisations. The Legal Resources Centre and Section 27 will thus be the first institutions to be bestowed the honour for their roles in pursuing social justice.

These institutions are said to have played a key role in shaping the content, implementation and daily enforcement of socio-economic rights in South Africa and have, through various activities and initiatives, contributed significantly to the strengthening of South Africa’s constitutional democracy. More significant, however, is the fact that these awards coincide perfectly with Human Rights month.

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The awards are as follows:

• Legal Resources Centre – University Gold Medal, 23 March at 5pm
• Adrian Gore – Honorary Doctorate in Commerce, 27 March at 1.30pm
• Section 27– University Gold Medal, 27 March at 5pm
• Prof. Harvey Dale – Honorary Doctorate in Law, 28 March at 9.30am
• Patricia Horn – Honorary Doctorate in Commerce, 28 March at 1.30pm
• Adv. Thulisile Madonsela – Honorary Doctorate in Law, 28 March at 5pm
• Justice Carole Lewis – University Gold Medal, 29 March at 9.30am
• Prof. Eddie Webster – Honorary Doctorate in Literature, 30 March at 5pm
• Patrice Motsepe – Honorary Doctorate in Commerce, 31 March at 1.30pm

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