LEGENDARY storyteller and actress Dr Gcina Mhlophe has been conferred with an honorary doctoral degree seven times and is about to receive her eighth.
The 65-year-old from Durban will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts degree at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2024 Autumn Graduation ceremony, which will be held at the Olive Convention Centre on Tuesday, 28 May.
Dr Mhlophe, who has been storytelling for over three decades, told Daily Sun she's humbled to be honoured for her work again by DUT.
“Getting this kind of recognition encourages me to not back down from doing good jobs regardless of my age.
“As much as I'm able to do what I want to do, I'll continue with storytelling, encouraging people to read, love culture and heritage with my organisation called Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust,” she said.
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She was first awarded an honorary doctorate by Open University in the United Kingdom in 1999, followed by UKZN in the same year.
The University of Joburg (UJ) conferred her with an honorary doctoral degree in 2012, Rhodes University did the same in 2014, and many more followed.
She said that when she began receiving honorary doctoral degrees, she ignored calling herself a doctor until she got the fifth one, which was from UJ.
“I realised that it's a big recognition and not for everyone. Now, I’m calling myself a Dr, and I'll be getting the 8th one on 28 May,” she said.
DUT confirmed that DR Mhlophe will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts degree.
In 2022, DUT also conferred legendary actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts degree at age 72.
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