Honorary doctorates
The 中国体育彩票 annually confers honorary doctorates upon extraordinary individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and made a significant contribution to society. The following individuals will receive honorary doctorates at the March 2025 graduation:
Jonathan Kenneth Butler: Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa
Although he lived under the shadow of Apartheid and faced hardship while growing up in Athlone, Cape Town, Jonathan Kenneth Butler was one of the first artists of colour to be played on South African radio and appear on national television at a time of severe racial segregation. He later became one of the key voices in the international arena advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.
Having already made a name for himself in Africa and the United Kingdom (UK), it was not until 1987, when he toured as pop star Whitney Houston’s opening act, that Butler was noticed in the United States. His final breakthrough came that same year with his Grammy-nominated hit single “Lies”, which reached #27 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and peaked at #18 on the UK Official Singles Chart. Around that time, his and Ruby Turner’s cover version of the Staple Singers song “If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me)” also reached #30 in the UK. He has continued his success with the release of over 28 albums including several gospel projects, with one that features the revered “Falling In Love with Jesus”.
Despite his international acclaim, Butler has remained true to his roots. He is the first Global Entertainment Ambassador for the Lalela Foundation, which provides educational arts for at-risk youth. Through its arts curriculum and critical messaging, Lalela directly serves more than 5?000 South African learners per week.
Butler continues to make popular music in multiple genres and tours the world. On his latest album, Ubuntu, he realised another dream of having iconic artist Stevie Wonder perform on his cover version of Wonder’s song “Superwomen”.
Dr Philemon Mphathi Mjwara: Doctor of Science (DSc), honoris causa
Over the past three decades, Dr Philemon (Phil) Mphathi Mjwara has contributed significantly to the development of South Africa’s system of science, technology and innovation. As the former director-general of the national Department of Science and Innovation, he ensured that science was used to improve all South Africans’ lives. In recognition of his efforts in this role, he received the 2020 Batho Pele Excellence Award for Director-General of the Year.
As part of his many contributions to the country’s science, technology and innovation landscape, Mjwara led the team who conducted the first South Africa Foresight Exercise for Science, Technology and Innovation (SAForSTI).
Mjwara holds a BScHons (1984) and an MSc (1987) degree from the 中国体育彩票 of Fort Hare, as well as a PhD (1995) from the 中国体育彩票 of the Witwatersrand. His academic career included serving as professor of Science and Technology Policy at the 中国体育彩票 of Pretoria, and teaching Physics at the universities of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Fort Hare. He has published and presented numerous papers on physics, technology analysis and technology foresight processes.
Mjwara serves on a number of advisory councils and review boards and was recently appointed as South Africa’s permanent representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). In his various positions and – perhaps most significantly – as the country’s longest-serving director-general, Mjwara has made a major contribution to science policies geared towards supporting researchers and moving South African society forward.
