Rhodes University vice-chancellor professor Sizwe Mabizela fulfilled his promise and personally honoured anti-apartheid activist and black consciousness leader Steve Biko’s widow, Nontsikelelo ‘Ntsiki’ Biko, with an honorary law doctorate at a glittering award ceremony held at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, Qonce, on Thursday, March 27.
Initially the university was supposed to confer Biko her doctorate during the graduation ceremony on April 2021, but the official robing ceremony had to be postponed due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
In 2021 Prof. Mabizela promised Biko that he would ensure that the university would complete the process of conferring her honorary doctorate in her community of Ginsberg.
Mabizela described Biko as a phenomenal woman, whose quiet yet profound contributions over the decades have touched countless lives in her community.
“Your courage, compassion, and relentless pursuit of a better life for the less privileged in our society are truly inspiring and remind us all of the power of one determined individual to make a positive change in the world. Your name will be permanently etched in the history of Rhodes University, serving as an enduring testament to your remarkable work of compassion and dedication to community upliftment. Future generations will learn of your invaluable contributions and the lasting impact you have made,” said Mabizela.
In her acceptance speech Biko thanked Rhodes University for the honour it has bestowed upon her through the honorary doctorate award.
“The reason we are gathered for this event, despite several years having passed since the announcement of the award, is that none of us could gather physically in that year. Our country, and indeed the world, was surrounded by an enemy called the coronavirus. Vice chancellor, you promised then that you would make the time to personally complete the process, preferable in my community,” said Biko.
Since the brutal murder of her husband Steve while in police detention in September 1977, Biko has been involved in community work focusing on healthcare and education. The Steve Biko Centre was officially opened in November 2012 and enlisted on the interim list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site
