“Now is the time for hope.”

These were the powerful words shared by Mr John Samuel, a distinguished leader in South African education, social justice, and public policy, during his conferral address at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

On Thursday, 16 April 2026, Mr Samuel was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Education, recognising his five-decade career dedicated to the principles of equity, access, and the liberation of the mind.

He thanked the University for the honour and congratulated the graduates, emphasising the historical struggle for equitable education and the legacy of the 1976 youth movement.

“The actions of this generation gave us hope and inspiration. This honour and acknowledgement remind me of the long and continuing contributions that so many people in this country made towards our struggle to build a just, equitable and democratic education system for all South Africans.”

Mr Samuel reflected on the current global challenges of inequality, racism and violence, contrasting the past’s hope for a better world with the present’s fractured reality.

He added that while the global ideal for a better world may have been breached, there is still a need to remind the world of humanity.

He highlighted the global silence that endorses wars, violence and imperial aggression.

“History has taught us that there is a great price to be paid when we turn away and remain indifferent in the face of evil. We need to continue to voice strongly the values of solidarity and social justice.”

He emphasised the importance of hope when faced with massive threats to humanity.

“This notion of hope is not some vague expectation that everything will come right sometime in the future. The hope we articulate, shape and develop in the cauldron of daily struggles globally for a better life gives us the opportunity to keep alive the belief that a better world can be built and that we have the capacity to do so. Hope allows us to explore and work towards other possibilities, equipped with the knowledge that the status quo can be changed.”

Mr Samuel expressed his passionate belief in building a better world for future generations through science, technology and the voice of the people around the world. 

 UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi reflected on the decades-long work of Mr Samuel.

“The education system that Mr Samuel helped build is the system that produced many of the graduates crossing our stage this season. The policy commitments to access and equity that he championed are the commitments that have allowed first-generation university students to stand in this hall and receive degrees from UJ. I have often spoken about knowledge in action. I believe deeply that universities are instruments of societal transformation. Mr Samuel is perhaps the finest example I know of that principle made tangible.”

Prof Mpedi concluded: “Life teaches us that unfinished work is cause for continued action and renewed commitment. You have demonstrated, across five decades and in every arena available to you, that education is not a privilege to be rationed but a right to be defended.”

In addition to Mr Samuel, 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)
• Wednesday, 15 April 2026 – Professor Njabulo Ndebele (Literary and Academic Leader)

Honorary doctorates to be conferred this season:

• 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.