CAPE Town singing sensation Jimmy Nevis has earned another accolade – a degree from UCT.
The man behind the hits Elephant Shoes and Heartboxing, graduated from UCT on Tuesday with a bachelor’s degree in social science.
But the road to graduation wasn’t always easy. Nevis, whose real name is Matthew Peter le Roux, said social science wasn’t his first choice. “I applied to study jazz vocals but didn’t get in. Social science was my second choice, but once I got into it I decided to give it my all.”
Nevis said his second year of study was “crazy” as his career also started getting off the ground. “There were some hectic nights. I would wake up at 4 in the morning to record and then go to a full day of varsity.”
He said he should have graduated last year and was angry when he failed a subject by just a few percentage points. But he said he believed in “finishing what you started”.
“This turned out to be an inspiration for my music.”
Nevis said his new album, The Masses, was doing “super well”. A new single from the album is expected to be released next month.
“Graduating from UCT is something that I’ve always strived for. It’s been a long journey, but I am thrilled and over the moon to be moving on to the next phase of my life.
“I have had so many ups and downs here and a lot of my sophomore album, The Masses, was inspired and influenced by my sociology studies. With this degree, I am honoured to represent my community and be an inspiration to my fans. May we never limit ourselves.”
Meanwhile, an honorary doctorate was conferred on Professor Louis Gates jr, “globally reputed” literary critic, educator, scholar, documentary maker, writer and editor.
He is the director of the WEB du Bois Institute for African and African American Research and the founding director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. He was instrumental in establishing the Harvard Mandela fellowships at the Du Bois Institute.