The University of Johannesburg alumnus and internationally acclaimed flautist, composer and producer Wouter Kellerman has been awarded the prestigious Order of Ikhamanga in Gold by Cyril Ramaphosa in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to music, cultural diplomacy and community development.

Kellerman, who graduated in Electrical Engineering from the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), now part of the University of Johannesburg, received the honour during the national investiture ceremony held on 19 May 2026 at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

The award places Kellerman among South Africa’s most celebrated cultural figures and reflects the growing global influence of UJ alumni across the arts, science, business and public life.

In 2024, UJ recognised Kellerman with its prestigious Dignitas Alumni Award for bridging cultural divides through music and mentorship, while building a global artistic legacy rooted in social impact and activism.

Kellerman’s journey from engineering student at RAU to internationally celebrated musician and three-time Grammy Award winner embodies UJ’s interdisciplinary ethos — where innovation, creativity and excellence are cultivated across diverse fields.

Over the past two decades, Kellerman has become synonymous with musical innovation, blending African rhythms with classical, jazz, world and contemporary music traditions. His genre-defying sound has earned him three Grammy Awards, nine South African Music Awards (SAMAs), multiple international nominations, and chart success across global music platforms.

His first Grammy Award came in 2015 for the album Winds of Samsara, created with Indian composer Ricky Kej. In 2023, he received a second Grammy alongside South African artists Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode for the global hit Bayethe.

Earlier this year, Kellerman secured his third Grammy Award for Triveni, a cross-cultural collaboration with Chandrika Tandon and Eru Matsumoto that won Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album at the 67th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Beyond his musical achievements, Kellerman has consistently used music as a platform for mentorship, social impact and cultural connection. His collaborations with the Ndlovu Youth Choir have helped shine an international spotlight on emerging South African talent while demonstrating music’s ability to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries.

In announcing the honour, The Presidency of South Africa praised Kellerman “for his outstanding personal achievements as a flautist, composer and arranger and his contribution to community development by leveraging music as a means to motivate young people to flourish through musical expression.”

The Presidency further noted that Kellerman has demonstrated “the power of music as a universal language that is able to unify South Africans and bring people across geographical and cultural borders together in appreciation of heartfelt art.”

Named after the strelitzia flower, the Order of Ikhamanga is among South Africa’s highest national honours, recognising exceptional achievement in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. Bestowed by the President of South Africa, the Gold class recognises individuals who have achieved international acclaim and made an exceptional contribution to society.