His work aligns with UJ’s vision of leveraging technology and sustainability for societal impact.” Professor Mpedi further emphasised that Professor Msezane’s career exemplifies intellectual curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. “We are honoured to welcome him into the UJ community and celebrate his remarkable legacy.” Professor Msezane’s honorary doctorate not only acknowledges his academic achievements but also reinforces UJ’s mission to address global challenges through education and innovation. As a recipient of the World University Service Scholarship and an honorary degree from the University of Fort Hare, his journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of science in shaping equitable and sustainable futures. Watch Professor Alfred Msezane’s acceptance speech below: https://youtu.be/cfxO3aj-hms
“When my grandmother sent me to school, she told me never to stop studying. I am a physicist by training. I learned to research and publish in the best journals.” Using a physics analogy, he illustrated his journey and encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty. “All of us exist in a deformable environment. When we move, the medium adjusts – sometimes resisting, sometimes opening new paths. This environment can frustrate you, but it can also protect and guide you. Success comes from learning to navigate it.” His reflections underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Speaking at the ceremony, UJ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, lauded Professor Msezane as a distinguished physicist whose groundbreaking contributions extend beyond academia. “It was once predicted that Professor Msezane’s research could provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from poverty and disease to climate change.
UJ HONOURS FORMER SA PRESIDENT KGALEMA MOTLANTHE WITH PRESTIGIOUS DOCTORATE “FORMER PRESIDENT MOTLANTHE’S BELIEF IN EDUCATION AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE RESONATES DEEPLY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG’S MISSION. HIS LIFE’S WORK REFLECTS THE HEART OF WHAT THIS INSTITUTION STANDS FOR: INTEGRITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ADVANCING EDUCATION, AND EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY.” These were the words of the University’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, when the institution conferred an honorary Doctorate in Politics and International Relations on former South African President, Kgalema Motlanthe, on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. Recognised for his decades of dedication to South Africa’s democracy, Motlanthe was celebrated as a statesman whose career had been defined by advancing equitable governance, economic reform, and social justice. From his tenure as President
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