The University of South Africa (Unisa) will on Thursday confer an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature and Philosophy (DLitt et Phil) posthumously on black consciousness doyen and martyr of the struggle for liberation, Stephen Bantu Biko.

In a statement the renowned institution said a special graduation ceremony will be held at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria, later on Thursday.

Unisa said after the conferment of the honorary degree, Dr Ibbo Mandaza, the internationally-renowned speaker, analyst, author and academic will deliver the 18th Annual Steve Biko Memorial Lecture.

“He will reflect on the psychological aspect of black consciousness and Steve Biko in the context of the current narrative of Africa rising and the challenges currently faced by Africa,” said the university.

Black consciousness proponents, Professor Harry Nengwekulu, Thenjiwe Mtintso and Thoko Mpumlwana are the respondents.