The University of South Africa (Unisa) was left embarrassed after the leader of the largest church in Africa snubbed its offer to award him an honorary doctoral degree.
Zion Christian Church leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane – whose symbol is the star of David – snubbed Unisa’s invitation to be awarded an honorary degree at the university’s spring graduation season last month.
According to a source, Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane may have been offended that Unisa recommended him for an honorary degree along with his estranged younger brother, Bishop Engenas Joseph Lekganyane, who leads the smaller branch of the ZCC known as the St Engenas branch, whose symbol is the dove.
“The way the matter was handled was in bad taste. Clearly the university leadership did not do its homework and take the sensitivities around their decision into consideration,” said an informant close to the university.
“The 150-year anniversary celebration clouded the judgement of the leadership of Unisa, which should have been alive to the subtleties of the power dynamics at play within the ZCC. Did they even consult broadly before writing to the bishop? I doubt it.”
It was this decision by the honorary degree selection committee that was deemed disrespectful and undiplomatic to pit brothers, who do not see eye to eye, against each other and call it an act of honour.
While Barnabas Lekganyane did not reply to the invitation, Joseph Lekganyane accepted the conferment of the honorary doctorate.
He was subsequently awarded the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology on October 27, amid great displeasure from some of the parents and relatives who were not allowed to attend the main proceedings at the ZK Matthews Hall.
About 370 graduates were awarded degrees and diplomas by Unisa chancellor and former president Thabo Mbeki.
Another source at the university said in the minds and hearts of the people who do not know that Barnabas Lekganyane did not respond to the invitation, it would appear as if Joseph Lekganyane has more respect among academia.
“The impression, either way, is created to those who do not know the back story that the younger brother is respected so much so that they overlooked the elder brother who has a membership of about 40-million around the continent,” said the deep throat.
“The committee would have taken a wise decision to honour Bishop Barnabas first and perhaps reserve conferring the degree to Bishop Joseph for another few years. But it seems they were in a hurry to get as many influential people as part of their honourees as possible,” said the source.
Joseph Lekganyane’s graduation was not without drama.
Incensed parents had to watch the graduation ceremony from a big screen because a majority of the seats inside the hall were allocated to ZCC members, including the brass brand comprising over 100 members.
This because the ZK Matthews Hall – situated at the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela building at the university’s Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria with a capacity of about 1 000 – was dominated by church dignitaries and members.
Unisa confirmed that it has not received a response from Barnabas Lekganyane.
“The university is still awaiting a response from His Grace in this regard and we will process the response upon receipt,” said Unisa spokesperson Tommy Huma.
The varsity, which marked its 150th anniversary amid the publication of a damning report by independent assessor Prof Themba Mosia and subsequent attempts by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande to place it under administration, poured cold water to claims that it did not handle the offer to confer the degree diplomatically.
“The university uses one tried-and-tested approach when it comes to the process of nomination and approval for honorary degrees; as well as communication with the selected candidates. The same approach was used with the current round of honorary doctorates. Since we have not received a response from His Grace Bishop Lekganyane, we are not in a position to speculate,” said Huma.
He said individuals who are conferred with honorary degrees are honoured for their impactful individual contributions to society and not compared with or measured against others.
“We have no knowledge of the views of the church leadership as we have not received any communication in this regard,” he said.
The university denied allegations that it allocated seats to church members over parents and family of Unisa students.
“The delegation from the church, including members of the brass band, was agreed to before and occupied the seats allocated as per the approved seating plan. The rest of the hall was occupied by the graduates and their guests.
“The hall itself does not have a limitless capacity and once it is full, people are redirected to the adjacent Senate Hall, where they can watch the proceedings on screen. We do not check or have control over the religious or faith affiliation of the people entering the hall.
“To refuse people to enter the hall purely because they belonged to the same church as the person being honoured would be a violation of their constitutional rights,” said Huma.
“There are of course guests who may not have been allowed to enter the hall because of late coming or because the proceedings had started. Such guests would have been redirected to the Senate Hall to follow the proceedings on screen,” he said.
Among the dignitaries who were awarded honorary degrees by Unisa this year as it marks its big milestone are Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, who were part of the September graduation ceremonies.
Sunday World contacted the church through spokesperson Ephraim Mafetsa for comment on Thursday. Mafetsa, who said he had been off sick for over a month, referred the paper to his colleague Moshe Rangwato on Friday. By yesterday afternoon
Rangwato said the comment was awaiting the approval of council.
Rangwato had not responded at the time of going to print.
