The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Monday paid tribute to four South African giants for their contribution in art, music, fashion and business by awarding then honorary doctorates in the fields of arts and management sciences.
Award-winning artist Esther Mahlangu, musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka, fashion designer David Tlale and business mogul Mike Nkuna graduated at TUT’s Pretoria campus in Tshwane.
The 86-year-old Mahlangu, whose iconic Ndebele art has earned her global recognition and collaborations, was honoured with the Doctor of Art and Design.
Mahlangu, who started painting at the age of 10, was trained by her grandmother in the art of mural painting, a time-old tradition in the Ndebele culture practised by women to paint the exterior walls of their homes.
Her name has become synonymous with luxury. In 1991, Mahlangu was commissioned by BMW to create an art car, making her distinct Ndebele design the first African art car created by the German luxury car maker.
Her work also flies high in British Airways planes. She also collaborated with Grammy awards-winning artist John Legend for a campaign with a luxury Vodka brand Belvedere to raise funds for the fight against HIV/Aids.
She was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in 2006 by former president Thabo Mbeki.
Nkuna, the founder and chairman of the Masingita Group of Companies wias conferred the honorary Doctor of Management Sciences in Organisational Leadership (Honoris Causa) for being a pioneer of township and rural commercial and retail development.
The Limpopo-born businessman started his company in 1983, which he has since grown into a formidable group of companies with interests in the property development, facilities management, auctioneering services, manufacturing, and mining sectors all over South Africa.
He has developed several retail centres in rural areas and townships, including the Bara Mall in Soweto, Masingita Plaza in Giyani, Morena Mall in Mahikeng and Makhado Crossing Regional Mall in Makhado.
In 2021, Nkuna was awarded an honourary PhD in Entrepreneurship by the University of Johannesburg for his contributions in commercial and retail property development in South Africa.
Fondly known as the Princess of Africa, Chaka Chaka was awarded the Doctor of Performing Arts (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her contribution to the entertainment industry for more than three decades and for using her voice to do good around the continent.
In 2017, Chaka Chaka received the Black Entertainment Television International Global Good Power Award in recognition of her humanitarian efforts. She started The Princess of Africa Foundation advocating for healthcare and education for communities across Africa.
Tlale, who has showcased his designs on New York’s runways, was honoured with the Doctor of Art. The 47-year-old, who has a National Diploma in Fashion from the Vaal University of Technology, has showcased his collections in Tokyo, Japan, Paris and France.
TUT’s spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said: “These are giants in their field, with decades of groundbreaking achievements and contributions to show for their dedication and talent. Furthermore, we look forward to much collaboration and engagement with the recipients, as we know our academic programmes and students will benefit greatly.”
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