MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR

PROFESSOR TYRONE PRETORIUS

This is a very special occasion in the history of the University of the Western Cape. While we have conferred many honorary degrees and medals that recognised the extraordinary contributions of individuals, this is the fi rst time that we are holding a special gala event to honour excellence and distinction. Those who are being honoured for their contributions are indeed worthy of this recognition because they exemplify creativity, scholarship, selfl essness and the courage of their convictions in making a diff erence in society. The 2021 recipients are Dr Allan Boesak (theologian, author and political activist), Prof Zoë Wicomb (author and academic) and William Kentridge (artist). The honourees for 2022 are Dr Imtiaz Sooliman (humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers) and Prof Kwesi Kwaa Prah (internationally recognised Africanist thinker, author, sociology professor and founder of the Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society).

The Gold Medal is bestowed on individuals who have made a signifi cant and extraordinary contribution to the upliftment of the community through exceptional leadership, community involvement and related activities. The following individuals are being recognised: Advocate AB Mahomed (respected law practitioner and founder of Al Baraka Bank), Mr Derek Joubert and Mr Peter Takelo (for their commitment to arts education and for nurturing the potential of the rural child in Barrydale), Mr Sean Lance and Mr Peter Wilson (for establishing the African Leadership Institute that invests in the young leaders of Africa through the Tutu Leadership Fellowship) and Dr Phumzile MlamboNgucka (for her contributions as South African deputy president, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, and many other public roles).

These recipients are indeed worthy of our recognition and abiding appreciation for their national and international contributions to all spheres of society and for their roles in the upliftment of people through the arts, literature, law, humanitarianism, academia and advocacy. As a university community, we are deeply privileged to be associated with such incredible role models.