Banyana Banyana head coach will, from Thursday, be officially known as Dr Desiree Ellis.
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) will award the four-time CAF Woman Coach of the Year with an honorary doctorate for her contribution to sports.
According to CentreCircle.Online, the CPUT will be rolling out the red carpet for more than 7 000 graduates during next week’s autumn graduation series.
“The university will be celebrating the success of 6 373 undergraduates and 735 postgraduates during 14 ceremonies, which are scheduled to start on April 22 and conclude on April 26,” said the university of technology in a statement.
“On Thursday, an honorary doctorate will be conferred on Ellis, for her significant achievements as a professional sportsperson and head coach of the South African women’s football team.
“Banyana Banyana have positioned Ellis at the top of the African and global sports fraternity.”
Order of Ikhamanga
The accolades keep on rolling for the national team coach.
Ellis received the Order of Ikhamanga in April 2023 as a result of her contributions to sport from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, the Capetonian was among several recipients awarded top honours.
National orders are the highest awards that the country bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.
Fake university degrees
The recognition of Ellis comes in the wake of a fake university awarding honorary doctorates to well-known personalities.
According to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Blade Nzimande, the department does not recognise the recent honorary doctorates given to seasoned actors Sello Maake KaNcube and Elizabeth Serunye by a fake university.
This came after images of Maake KaNcube and Serunye appeared on social media, where Trinity International Bible University had awarded them honorary doctorates.
On Sunday, the department released a statement saying that, according to its records, Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution.
