Honorary Doctorates
Honorary doctoral degree for activist Kumi Naidoo
rights. In August 2018, Naidoo joined Amnesty International as its ninth Secretary General. Naidoo has held multiple international leadership roles, and was the first African to head Greenpeace, the international environmental group. Naidoo saw his role as that of an alliance builder and an agent of change. Importantly, he saw the intricate connections between environmental justice, gender
SARChI Chair: African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, “UJ cherishes the values of equality and social justice. We are convinced that Kumi Naidoo’s tireless work and fearless activism, and his sacrifices for solidarity, democracy, equitable and sustainable development, and social justice resemble and exemplify UJ’s values. That is why we are proud to award Kumi Naidoo the degree Doctor Honoris Causa in Humanities, and can boldly claim him as an alumnus of the University of critical Pan- African inquiry that seeks to propel Africa into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The celebrated activist is best known for his participation in fighting apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s through the Helping Hands Youth Organisation, in which he led global campaigns to end poverty and protect human
“In Africa this is a moment for us to dream big. As graduates of the finest University, you can in whatever profession you practise play a pivotal role in reshaping the future into one in which hunger,
extreme poverty and racism should be distant memories.
A future in which every person can fulfil their dreams and contribute to society on an equal basis. I want to challenge you to be that solution; to take responsibility for safeguarding the human rights that we must cherish. We are waiting for you.” These were the sentiments shared by Dr Kumi Naidoo on Tuesday 23 April 2019 upon receiving an honorary doctoral degree in Humanities as recognition for his contribution to social justice in South Africa. Says Prof Chris Landsberg, UJ
equality and human rights. Dr Naidoo concluded: “This world presents you with vast opportunities and of course also some challenges and
responsibilities. These are difficult times for justice and human rights, with battles over natural resources, climate change, rising inequality, increasing movement of people within and across borders, ongoing
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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