Rhodes University will tomorrow, October 29, confer an honorary doctorate on retired SABC IsiXhosa television news anchor, Noxolo Grootboom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Makhanda-based university said it would honour Grootboom with a Doctor of Letters (D Litt) (honoris causa) for her significant promotion of national pride and culture through her journalistic career, which spanned 37 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur nation owes her a debt of gratitude and appreciation for all that she has done to give much-needed hope to many South Africans in times of national loss and despair and for being a passionate advocate of the IsiXhosa language in our society,\u201d said Rhodes University vice-chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grootboom joined the SABC in December 1983 as a typist and later as production assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She got her big break in 1990, when she was asked to stand-in for a colleague and anchor an IsiXhosa television news bulletin, which left her bosses so impressed that they asked her to continue to anchor the news bulletins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her 37-year long career with the SABC, Grootboom got to anchor funerals of high-profile politicians such as Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Oliver Reginald Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Albertina Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete and young personalities, like Akhumzi Jezile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is reported that over 3.8 million viewers tuned in to watch her last IsiXhosa bulletin on SABC 1, on March 30, this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said she was at a loss of words following the announcement of the honorary doctorate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEach event of my life is a life lesson that cannot be merely explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven though I had minimal opportunities to further my studies, it seemed as if my dreams about my future were perishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, Rhodes University is teaching me that hope is always ignited when it seems as though your dreams are perishing and when that hope is ignited, it leads to a new dream,\u201d Grootboom was quoted as saying in a statement released by the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grootboom will receive her honorary doctorate when Rhodes University will be hosting its second virtual graduation ceremony for Masters and PhD students on Friday, October 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rhodes University has congratulated Grootboom on what it termed \u201crichly deserved recognition and notable achievement\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rhodes University will tomorrow, October 29, confer an honorary doctorate on retired SABC IsiXhosa television news anchor, Noxolo 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