A moment of coming full circle. This is how Professor Njabulo Ndebele, the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) described the occasion yesterday.

Professor Ndebele, a prolific author and academic leader who has also served as Chancellor of the University for two terms, was honoured during a Faculty of Humanities graduation ceremony. He was recognised for his life’s work as a literary giant, acclaimed academic, and transformational leader in higher education and public life.  In his acceptance speech, the author of numerous culture defining texts such as Fools and Other Stories  as well as The Cry of Winnie Mandela, masterfully weaved together the experiences of his life, and the moment he stood in the Sanlam Auditorium to receive an Honorary Doctorate.

For him, Prof Ndebele said, a poignant moment was a nod to his beginnings at the Western Native Township (near the now Sophiatown), a stone throw away from the University’s Auckland Park Kingsway campus where the ceremony was held. This, he shared, was a nostalgic return to where the story of his life first began. “In case, some of you may be wondering why this man from Cape Town is so brazen as to climb onto the stage of the University (of Johannesburg), and then call himself a Joburger, it is because of where I was born. I was born not very far from here, some walking distance away from Sophiatown, a place known as Kofifi in its days,” he said.

These intimate yet intriguing musings gave the audience in the auditorium, filled with newly minted graduates, their loved ones and the University’s staff members an opportunity to peak into the mind of one of South Africa’s most respected public intellectuals.

He used his remarks as an opportunity to comment how the passage of time, and the deliberate actions towards the transformation of the country, have yielded a South Africa that is resilient, yet still optimistic about it’s future. Something Prof Ndebele remarked is starkly different from when he was born 77 years ago. A refreshing take, given the vast challenges that grip the consciousness of South Africans today.

“Today, I live and breathe in a country radically different in the general disposition of its people from what it was 77 years ago, when I was born,” he said. “One gets a very real sense, not only of the passage of time, but also of the fundamental transformation in the sensibilities of South African people, richly diverse, yet united in believing in the national and constitutional disposition that has knit us together, sharing together, a sense of a mutually reinforcing confidence in the purposeful and thriving  unitary state we are today. I remain grateful to live in a country whose people, fellow citizens in their beautiful diversity, I love and always will.”

In her role as functionary Vice-Chancellor for the ceremony, UJ Registrar Professor Bettine van Vuuren shared how transformative Prof Ndebele’s tenure as Chancellor was for the institution: “His association with the University of Johannesburg has been substantive and enlightening. Professor Ndebele served as Chancellor of UJ for two full terms, providing steady guidance and symbolic leadership during a critical period of growth and consolidation. His tenure contributed to embedding UJ’s vision of African excellence and inclusive scholarship within the broader national context. Professor Ndebele’s commitment to public service has been evident for all to see.”

Prof Van Vuuren conveyed the University’s gratitude, highlighting the institution’s pleasure at having a towering figure in its history, accept the honour.

“Professor Ndebele’s life and work reflect the values that the University of Johannesburg seeks to uphold academic excellence, visionary leadership, transformative public engagement, and a commitment to the development of African knowledge systems. Through his literary and scholarly contributions, he has deepened the world’s understanding of South African society. Through his leadership in higher education, he has played a vital role in shaping post-apartheid academic institutions and the creative contributions of the Humanities. Professor Ndebele, on behalf of the entire university community, we congratulate you and extend our deepest gratitude for your gracious acceptance of the honorary doctorate we are conferring upon you today,” she said.

Professor Ndebele closed off by expressing his gratitude to the University for the honour it has bestowed upon him; “The University of Johannesburg has honoured me in the most humbling manner. I am grateful to accept this honour,” he said.

He reinforced the importance of education, stating that this moment has strengthened in him a belief in the value of education.

Watch highlights of his ceremony

Related

• In addition to Prof Ndebele, the University has already conferred honorary doctorates this year on:
  • Monday, 16 March 2026 – Her Excellency Monica Geingos (Global Health and Social Development Advocate)
  • Wednesday, 25 March 2026 – Francois Pienaar (Former Springbok Captain)
  • Friday, 27 March 2026 – Tryphosa Ramano (Chartered Accountant and Financial Leader)
• Honorary doctorates to be conferred this season:
  • Thursday, 16 April 2026 – John Samuel (Education policy and Governance leader)
  • Friday, 29 May 2026 – Professor Loyiso Nongxa (Mathematics and Higher Education Leader)
• Beyond the Autumn graduation ceremonies, additional honorary doctorates will be conferred later in 2026 during the University’s Spring and Summer seasons, further recognising leadership across law, social development, and global education diplomacy.