Pioneering business leaders Patrice Motsepe and Adrian Gore, legal experts Advocate Thuli Madonsela and Carole Lewis, Section 27, the Legal Resources Centre and a host of other social justice activists will be honoured by Wits University during its March graduation season.

The first 2017 graduation cluster runs from 23 to 31 March 2017. More than 5 000 students will be capped during this period, which is a moment of celebration for the graduands and their families, following years of personal sacrifices.

“On behalf of the University, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the graduands and those who supported them – their families, friends and the Wits staff who walked with them through their journey,” says Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib. “Our graduations are moments of celebration and it is with great pleasure that Wits will be honouring several ‘change makers’ who are all societal leaders in their respective fields, many of whom are already Witsies.”

A total of six honorary doctorates and three gold medals will be awarded on these auspicious occasions. Motsepe, Gore, Patricia Horn, Prof. Eddie Webster, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Judge Carole Lewis, Prof. Harvey Dale, the Legal Resources Centre and Section 27 will join the ranks of achievers recognised by the University for their monumental contribution to society and their respective fields.

The awards are as follows:

1. Legal Resources Centre                23 March at 17:00             University Gold Medal
2. Mr Adrian Gore                                27 March at 13:30            Honorary Doctorate in Commerce
3. Section 27                                           27 March at 17:00             University Gold Medal
4. Prof. Harvey Dale                            28 March at 09:30             Honorary Doctorate in Law
5. Ms Patricia Horn                              28 March at 13:30             Honorary Doctorate in Commerce
6. Adv. Thulisile Madonsela            28 March at 17:00             Honorary Doctorate in Law
7. Justice Carole Lewis                       29 March at 09:30             University Gold Medal
8. Prof. Eddie Webster                      30 March at 17:00             Honorary Doctorate in Literature
9. Mr Patrice Motsepe                       31 March at 13:30             Honorary Doctorate in Commerce

The 2017 March graduations are historic in the life of the University. This is the first time that the Wits University has awarded its gold medal/s to institutions, thus making the Legal Resources Centre and Section 27 the first organisations to be bestowed with this honour for their role in pursuing social justice.

These institutions have played a key role in shaping the content, implementation and daily enforcement of socio-economic rights in South Africa and have, through various activities and initiatives, contributed significantly to the strengthening of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

It is also fitting that these are awarded during Human Rights month, in line with the institutions’ core values.

The media is invited to attend. Please RSVP to Buhle.Zuma@wits.ac.za. Please note that the doors close 15 minutes before each graduation ceremony commences.