Kumi Naidoo, former executive director of international environmental group Greenpeace, received an honorary doctorate from the Durban University of Technology on Wednesday.
Naidoo, who is also a former Umkhonto weSizwe activist, was honoured during the Faculty of Arts and Design’s graduation ceremony to be held at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko Campus.
He received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in recognition for his "outstanding contribution" in the fight for human dignity for all, his community and student activism and his commitment to the eradication of poverty and injustice through multiple national, African and global movements.
Naidoo, said the university in a statement, had been part of the group of school pupils from Chatsworth High School who had stood in solidarity with their peers to protest against a discriminatory education system which unfairly targeted black pupils.
“He currently serves as the board chairperson of Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity. He is also a board member for the climate justice group (350.org) and an ambassador to the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute."
Naidoo is also setting up a new Institute for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment.
In March, he was also singled out by the University of KwaZulu-Natal for his contribution to South African society. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from that institution as well.
Some statistics about DUT’s spring graduation:
- A total number of 1029 students will graduate during the September graduation ceremonies;
- The 2017 Spring graduation numbers have increased when from the 1010 students who graduated last September;
- Graduate numbers had also increased during the April/May graduation season this year, with more females graduating.
- In total, 6825 students will graduate from DUT in 2017.