UWC is a research-led university responsive to the needs of a changing world through excellence in learning, teaching and research, and the generation and application of new knowledge.
Firmly anchored in its local and sub-regional context and inspired by its distinctive academic role in building a more equitable and dynamic society, the University continues to empower its students, staff and partners to advance its mission of serving the greater public good and searching for humane and sustainable solutions to the challenges of our time. This is pursued through high academic standards, intellectual rigour and productive partnerships and networks beyond the confines of disciplinary and geographic boundaries.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
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Today, as we celebrate your achievements, we also recognise the determination and sacrifices that have brought you here. Take a moment to reflect on your journey, the nervous excitement of your first lecture, the long nights of study, and the challenges that tested your perseverance. There were times when the road ahead seemed uncertain, but you kept going. Now, you stand here, ready to step into the world as graduates of the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
The world you are entering holds both promise and complexity. Like much of the world, South Africa stands at a crossroads. Inequality, economic instability, and social injustice remain harsh realities for many. Yet, we are reminded that change begins when we refuse to be silent in the face of injustice. No one can be left out of the process. Too many voices in our society remain unheard, including women, children, the poor, and those pushed to the margins. The voices of the marginalised must be heard, their dreams shared, and their power reclaimed. As UWC graduates, you have not only gained knowledge but also the responsibility to be active citizens, to question, to challenge, and to lead with integrity. The true value of education is not measured by personal success alone but by how it is used to uplift others. Whether you enter boardrooms, classrooms, hospitals, or courtrooms, let your leadership create spaces where dignity and fairness prevail.
Our faith teaches us that there are no outsiders. All are welcome, regardless of race, background, gender, or identity. These are not just words; they are a call to action. In a world too often divided, let your success be defined by the inclusivity and justice you champion. Carry this commitment with you as you shape your future and the world around you. Hope has two beautiful daughters. One is anger at the way things are, and the other is the courage to change them. Let your courage be your guide. Speak out when you witness injustice, stand up for those who are silenced, and use your education to give others hope.
Wherever life takes you, remember this. Take pride in how far you have come but never lose sight of how far you can go. The world is waiting for you, not just as professionals, but as leaders who can make a difference.
Soos ons vandag u prestasies vier, erken ons ook die vasberadenheid en opofferinge wat jou tot hier gebring het. Vat ’n oomblik om op jou reis te reflekteer, die senuwees en opgewondenheid van jou eerste lesing, die laat nagte van studeer en die uitdagings wat jou deursettingsvermoë getoets het. Daar was tye wat die pad vorentoe onseker was, maar jy het aangehou. Nou staan jy hier, reg om die wêreld in te stap as ’n gegradueerde student van die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland (UWK).
Die wêreld wat jy betree, hou beide belofte en kompleksiteit in. Soos ’n groot deel van die wêreld, staan Suid-Afrika op ’n kruispad. Onregverdigheid, ekonomiese onstabiliteit en sosiale onreg bly die harde werklikhede vir baie. Tog word ons daaraan herinner dat verandering begin wanneer ons weier om stil te bly in die aangesig van onreg. Niemand kan uit die proses gelaat word nie. Te veel stemme in ons samelewing bly ongehoord, insluitend vroue, kinders, die armes en dié wat opsy geskuif word. Die stemme van die gemarginaliseerde moet gehoor word, hul drome moet gedeel word en hul mag moet teruggeëis word. As UWK-gegradueerdes het jy nie net kennis gewerf nie, maar ook die verantwoordelikheid om ’n bydraende burger te wees, om vrae te vra, om uit te daag en om te lei met integriteit. Die waarde van onderwys word nie net alleen gemeet aan persoonlike sukses nie, maar aan hoe dit gebruik word om ander op te hef. Of jy nou raadskamers, klaskamers, hospitale of hofsale betree, laat jou leierskap ruimtes skep waar waardigheid en billikheid heers.
Ons geloof leer ons dat daar geen buitestaanders is nie. Almal is welkom, ongeag ras, agtergrond, geslag of identiteit. Dit is nie net woorde nie; dit is ’n oproep tot aksie. In ’n wêreld wat dikwels verdeeld is, laat jou sukses gedefinieer word deur die inklusiwiteit en geregtigheid wat jy bevorder. Dra hierdie verbintenis saam met jou terwyl jy jou toekoms en die wêreld rondom jou vorm. Hoop het twee pragtige dogters. Een is woede oor hoe dinge staan, en die ander is die moed om dit te verander. Laat jou moed jou gids wees. Praat uit wanneer jy onreg aanskou, staan op vir diegene wat stilgemaak word, en gebruik jou opvoeding om ander hoop te gee.
Waar ook al die lewe jou neem, onthou dit: Wees trots op hoe ver jy gekom het, maar moenie sig verloor van hoe ver jy kan gaan nie. Die wêreld wag op jou, nie net as ’n professionele mens nie, maar as leiers wat ’n verskil kan maak.
Baie geluk Klas van 2024!
ARCHBISHOP
THABO MAKGOBA CHANCELLOR
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
Dear Graduands,
MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR
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At the University of the Western Cape (UWC), we believe that education is about more than acquiring knowledge, it is about personal growth and the ability to make a meaningful difference in society. Graduation is a powerful reminder of the hard work and determination that have shaped your journey. Today, we celebrate your success while also reflecting on the experiences you have gained along the way.
For many, this journey has been filled with challenges, some anticipated, others unforeseen. Yet, with each obstacle, you have adapted, persevered, and emerged stronger. Struggle may be your soil, but resilience is your flower. Like the Protea on our University’s emblem, you have thrived despite adversity. This is what defines a UWC graduate.
Our graduates are stepping into a world that is both full of promise and fraught with uncertainty. In this moment of transition, I encourage you to hold fast to the values that have guided you during your time here. Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go. Our country, our continent, and our world need critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders who are willing to create a more just and sustainable future. You have the knowledge and skills to do so, use them with purpose.
But remember, success is not measured by personal achievement alone. It is also found in service, lifting others as you rise and staying connected to the communities that have supported you. True academic wealth is not locked away, it is meant to be shared. The knowledge you have gained benefits you, but it is also a tool to help build a better world.
As you step into this new chapter, carry with you the integrity and sense of purpose that define a UWC graduate. No matter where life takes you, remember that you are part of a community that believes in social justice and the power of education to transform lives. Go forward with confidence, knowing that you are wellprepared to shape a future that is brighter and full of possibilities.
By die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland (UWK) glo ons dat opvoeding meer is as net die verkryging van kennis; dit gaan oor persoonlike groei en die vermoë om ’n betekenisvolle verskil in die samelewing te maak. Gradeplegtigheid is ’n kragtige herinnering van die harde werk en vasberadenheid wat jou reis gevorm het. Vandag vier ons jou sukses, terwyl ons ook reflekteer oor die ervarings wat jy langs die pad opgedoen het.
Vir baie was hierdie reis vol uitdagings, vir party voorspelbaar, vir ander onverwags. Tog het jy, met elke hindernis, jouself aangepas, aangehou en sterker uit die stryd gekom. Struikelblokke mag jou grond wees, maar uithouvermoë is jou blom. Soos die Protea op ons Universiteit se embleem, het jy oorleef en gespruit, ondanks teenspoed. Dit is wat ’n UWKgegradueerde student definieer.
Ons gegradueerde studente stap in ’n wêreld wat vol is met beloftes en onsekerheid. In hierdie oomblik van oorgang, moedig ek jou aan om vas te hou aan die waardes wat jou gelei het gedurende jou tyd hier. Wees trots oor hoe ver jy gekom het en glo in hoe ver jy kan gaan. Ons land, ons kontinent en ons wêreld benodig kritiese denkers, probleem oplossers en leiers wat bereid is om ’n meer regverdige en volhoubare toekoms te skep. Dis ’n doel wat jy kan haal met die kennis en vaardighede wat jy bereik het.
Maar onthou, sukses word nie net gemeet deur persoonlike prestasie nie. Dit word ook gevind in diens, ander op te hef terwyl jy styg en om verbind te bly met die gemeenskappe wat jou ondersteun het. Ware akademiese rykdom is nie weggesluit nie, dit is bedoel om gedeel te word. Die kennis wat jy verwerf het, bevoordeel jou, maar dit is ook ’n hulpmiddel om ’n beter wêreld te bou.
Soos jy in hierdie nuwe hoofstuk begin, dra die integriteit en gevoel van doel wat ’n UWKgegradueerde student definieer. Maak nie saak waar die lewe jou neem nie, onthou dat jy deel is van ’n gemeenskap wat in sosiale geregtigheid en die mag van opvoeding om lewens te transformeer glo. Gaan vorentoe met selfvertroue, wetende dat jy goed voorberei is om ’n toekoms te vorm wat helderder is en vol moontlikhede.
Geluk!
PROF ROBERT J. BALFOUR RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
AND FIGURES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
TOTALSTUDENTPOPULATIONENROLMENT
SUCCESSRATE
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HISTORIC MILESTONES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
1960: The University College of the Western Cape opens its doors.
1970: The institution gains independent university status and is allowed to award its own degrees and diplomas.
1975: Prof Richard van der Ross is appointed as UWC’s first black Rector.
1978: UWC’s Cape Flats Nature Reserve is declared a National Monument (now known as a provincial heritage site).
1987: New Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jakes Gerwel, declares UWC as the ‘university of the left’. The University deracialises and opens its doors to African students.
UWC inaugurates its longest-serving Chancellor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who would serve for more than 25 years.
1990: UWC becomes the first university to award the late President Mandela an honorary doctorate upon his release from prison.
1994: Many academics from UWC join President Mandela’s government and are appointed to ministerial and advisory positions, including its Rector, Prof Gerwel, who became the Director-General in the Presidency.
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1994: UWC’s leadership takes part in writing the higher education policy for the incoming government. The South African interim Constitution and final Constitution are drafted at UWC.
1995: UWC launches its first website – joining the internet age before other universities in the Mother City.
UWC launches the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) to engage in research, training, policy development and advocacy in relation to land reform, rural governance and natural resource management.
2002: Under the leadership of Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, UWC successfully resists being merged. Instead, its Dentistry Faculty is merged with that of the University of Stellenbosch, making UWC the only dentistry faculty in the Western Cape.
2010: 10 SARChI chairs awarded to UWC, the highest number awarded to any university in SA that year (as of 2018, UWC hosts 17 SARChI Chairs).
2012: UWC launches its Technology Transfer Office to help promote the development and protection of the intellectual property of the University’s research community, staff and students.
HISTORIC MILESTONES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
2012: UWC is declared Africa’s Greenest Campus in the inaugural African Green Campus Initiative Challenge.
2013: UWC signs the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in the Sciences and Humanities, joining hundreds of institutions around the world dedicated to supporting the principles of open access and working to achieve openness in publicly funded projects.
2015: Prof Tyrone Pretorius is inaugurated as the new Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
2016: UWC’s Centre for Humanities Research is awarded the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities by the NRF.
UWC is ranked number 1 in Physical Science – not just in South Africa, but for Africa as a whole – in the 2016 Nature Index.
2017: A group of UWC students, led by Prof Nico Orce, conduct the second major African-led experiment at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland.
UWC’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, receives the National Research Foundation’s highest honour, the NRF Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018: The Faculty of Dentistry launches a state-of-the-art video conferencing system that allows students to watch live surgeries in class or at home – a first for South Africa.
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2018: UWC Choir made its debut at the World Choir Games. The choir came first in its category, bringing home the gold medal and the titleWorld Champions.
2019: UWC Rugby makes its historical debut in the Varsity Cup, by becoming the first team from an historically disadvantaged institution to qualify for the competition.
2020: UWC’s South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), sequenced the first SARS-COV-2 genome in South Africa, providing a genetic “fingerprint” helped us understand - and contain - the spread of COVID-19.
UWC celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2022: Professor Russell H Kaschula is appointed as the Research Chair in Forensic Linguistics and Multilingualism – a first in Africa.
The UWC Main Hall is renamed the Jakes Gerwel Hall to honour this iconic leader.
2023: Professor Marion Keim is appointed as the UNESCO Chair for Sport, Development, Peace and Olympic Education – the first ever awarded UNESCO Chair in Sport in Africa
HISTORIC MILESTONES
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
2023: Four significant infrastructure projects are completed in 2022 and 2023, including the Education Faculty building on the main campus, the 2700-bed Unibell Residence complex in Belhar, the Centre for Humanities Research building in Woodstock, and the UWC Innovation Hub in Parow.
2024: The first year of the full implementation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, which provides full bursaries to 250 undergraduate and 250 Master’s students as part of a seven-year agreement.
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2024: UWC is the first and only university team to compete in the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions LeagueAfrica’s premier club competition for women’s football.
2025: Prof Robert John Balfour is inaugurated as the 8th Rector and Vice-Chancellor
OFFICE BEARERS
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
CHANCELLOR
The Most Reverend Dr TC Makgoba (PhD, Doctorate of Divinity: Hon. Causa)
CHAIR OF COUNCIL
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Ms X Mpongoshe (Dipl. Juris, B. Proc, Cert in Compliance Management, Cert. CRO (Euromoney London))
RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
Prof R Balfour (BA, BA (Hons), HDE, MA, PhD)
VICE-RECTORS AND DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLORS
Prof MK Ralarala (HDE (Arts), BA (Hons), MA, DLitt, PhD)
Prof J Frantz (BSc, MSc, PhD)
Prof M Madiba (BA (Paed), B.Ed (Hons), B.Ed (Hons), BA (Hons) (English), MA Linguistics (Applied Studies), PhD)
REGISTRAR
Dr N Lawton-Misra (BA, BEd, MEd (Educational Psychology), PhD (Educational Psychology))
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Mr ME Magida (BProc, LLB, LLM)
Mr M Regal (BCom (Hons), CA (SA), M Dev Studies)
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Prof S Nadar Acting (BA (Hons) MSocSc, PhD)
DEANS
Prof A Padmanabhanunni (BA Hons (Psych), MA (Counselling Psych), PhD)
Prof V Yengopal (BChD, BSc (Hons), PGDip, MChD, PhD)
Prof K Yu Acting (BBA, BEcon (Hons), MEcon , PhD)
Prof R Govender (BSc; BSc Honours (Mathematics); MEd and PHD (Mathematics Education))
Prof JR De Ville (BCom, LLB, LLD)
Prof D Holgate (BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD)
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FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
1. Academic Procession
(THE AUDIENCE IS REQUESTED TO STAND AS THE PROCESSION ENTERS THE HALL)
2. The Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor constitutes the congregation
3. National Anthem
4. Prayer
5. Address: SRC
6. Address: Rector and Vice-Chancellor
7. Item in song
8. Presentation of Graduands to the Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor
9. The Chancellor / Vice-Chancellor dissolves the congregation
10. The Academic Procession leaves the hall
NB: THE AUDIENCE IS REQUESTED TO REMAIN STANDING UNTIL THE PROCESSION HAS LEFT THE HALL.
TIME AND VENUE
GRADUATION CEREMONY 16 APRIL 2025 (WEDNESDAY) UWC CAMPUS 14H30
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.
Uit die blou van onse hemel, Uit die diepte van ons see, Oor ons ewige gebergtes, Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
FRITZ AKO AGBOR
Department: EARTH SCIENCE
Supervisor: PROF J VAN BEVER DONKER
Co-supervisor: MR W SONIBARE
Thesis:
Basin and Petroleum System(s) Evolution Assessment of the Southern Pletmos Basin, Offshore South Africa: A Multidimensional Modelling Approach
Description:
Fritz Agbor examined crustal structures in terms of crust-mantle dynamics’ effects on petroleum system evolution using a multi-disciplinary geo-modelling methodology. He used isostasy, 3D gravity, and density modelling, by integrating seismic and well data as well as computerised burial history simulations. He built models that provide insights into crustal configuration and density distribution that can confirm tectonic boundaries. He also showed that high paleoheat flow in the Late Jurassic, influenced the petroleum generation later in the Cretaceous, and that faulting affected oil and gas migration. Understanding the area’s evolution through time, is a powerful tool to be used by the petroleum industry in targeting oil resources to be used for the country’s energy provision.
PAPA DJIBRIL BA
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
Thesis:
Demographic dynamics on urban area: spatial and temporal analysis of the social transformation of households between two population censuses (2002 - 2013) in Guediawaye, Senegal
Description:
Modern African cities are in a constant flux, through demographic processes and migration. The challenges of demographic dynamics in urban areas require innovative research techniques such as spatial analysis with help from statistical, geographical and environmental disciplines, to understand population change. This study integrates the Geographical Information System (GIS) into the analysis of data from two population censuses (2002 and 2013) in Guédiawaye (Senegal), to measure social changes at the household level. The results offer a detailed vision of the factors influencing such changes at small scale level, and can help planners and policy makers understand the interrelations in the different components of households, to identify areas that require intervention or support.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UVIWE BINASE
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
Co-supervisor: DR K OGUJIUBA
Thesis:
The economics of tobacco control in South Africa: new evidence, demand and behavioural estimates
Description:
Tobacco is the second leading cause of death in the world after high blood pressure. The World Health Organisation estimated 8 million deaths worldwide because of tobacco. Tobacco in South Africa is a leading cause of death, with an estimated annual death rate of 7% between 1994 and 2007, which is about 10% of the total deaths. This unique study used descriptive statistics to show that the relationship between tobacco users’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, from both a demographic and economic point of view. Most of the participants from the Township Smoking Study confirmed they were aware about the health effects associated with smoking, but it was also clear that demand for cigarettes is inelastic, meaning that price changes have a relatively small impact on the quantity demanded.
GERHARDUS BODENSTEIN
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF R BLIGNAUT
Co-supervisors: PROF M KRUGER, DR H BRYDON
Thesis:
Flexible feature engineering using a network flow approach
Description:
Hardus’ thesis addressed two significant challenges in feature engineering, a key part of data preparation and exploration in predictive modelling and machine learning. The first challenge is the supervised discretisation of continuous predictors while preserving a specified trend in their relationship with the target variable and adhering to side constraints. The second is clustering the levels of high-cardinality nominal categorical predictors while maintaining both interpretability and predictive accuracy. To tackle these challenges, the thesis introduced two novel network flow-based approaches: Trend Enforced Network Flow for Optimal Discretisation (TENFOLD) for the first problem and Nominal Attribute Clustering using a Regionalisation Approach (NACRA) for the second.
2025
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
OGUJIUBA CHINELO
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
Thesis:
Analysis of contraception usage amongst women in Nigeria: evidence from Demograhic and Health Survey 2018 Data
Description:
The Sustainable Development Goals aim to ensure women have access to reproductive health care and rights. Availability of safe, effective, and affordable contraception is crucial to address women’s needs for family planning. However, in Nigeria, low uptake of contraceptive methods with high levels of unmet needs are observed. A recent survey reported a 17% contraceptive prevalence among married women 15 to 49 years old. Using rigorous analytical techniques, this study has advanced the knowledge on contraceptive behaviour, especially in Nigeria. These findings draw attention to the difficulties and inequalities in obtaining contraceptive services, and emphasize the necessity of focused initiatives and legislative changes to address demographic and socioeconomic inequalities.
BRANDON NICHOLAS ENGELBRECHT
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF M SANTOS
Co-supervisors: DR J WANG DR J FONSECA
Thesis:
A study of satellite contamination for single dish HI intensity mapping with MeerKAT
Description:
The thesis marks a significant advancement in the study of artificial satellites’ impact on observations conducted with the MeerKAT radio telescope. The student developed comprehensive simulations to analyse satellite contamination and its effects on cosmological signals. These simulations accurately predict the movements and corresponding signals of satellites for both past and future observations, thus providing an essential tool for satellite avoidance. It was demonstrated that out-of-band emissions can overwhelm the cosmological signal; however, advanced cleaning techniques can substantially mitigate this contamination, enabling detection through cross-correlation.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
MPONENG KOPANA
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF R MAARTENS
Thesis:
Probing large-scale structure with MeerKAT, the SKA and other surveys
Description:
In her thesis, Ms Kopana presented new research that led to one paper published in a peerreviewed international journal, with a second paper under review. Her work focused on the fact that properties of the very early Universe leave a faint imprint on the distribution of galaxies in the late-time Universe. She showed that this weak signal from the past can be amplified if we use two different maps of the galaxies. She achieved this by combining future surveys from radio telescopes like MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array (based in South Africa) with other planned surveys. The improvement from this combination is significant and could reveal new insights into the birth of the Universe. In addition, this can be achieved without additional observations or cost.
YANGA EDDIE MNYAMANA
Department: MEDICAL BIOSCIENCES
Supervisor: PROF B FIELDING
Thesis:
Antibody production with synthetic peptides against human coronavirus-NL63 ORF3 protein
Description:
Mr. Yanga Eddie Mnyamana’s research focused on the development of monoclonal antibodies against the ORF3 protein of Human Coronavirus NL63. Using bioinformatic tools, molecular characterization, and immunisation techniques, he successfully generated and validated antibodies capable of detecting antigenic peptides and full-length ORF3 protein. His findings provide insights into ORF3’s role in viral assembly and pathogenesis, which could contribute to the advancement of antiviral therapies, rapid diagnostics, and passive immunization strategies. His work enhances our understanding of coronaviruses and their impact on respiratory health.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
ADESHINA ODUGBEMI
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIOINFORMATICS INSTITUTE
Supervisor: PROF A CHRISTOFFELS
Co-supervisor: PROF S EGIEYEH
Thesis:
Development, Evaluation, and In Vitro Assessment of Artificial Intelligence Antidiabetic Predictive Models from a-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Description:
Adeshina Odugbemi’s PhD research focused on using Artifical Intelligent (AI) models to assist pharmaceutical scientists to easily identify antidiabetic compounds for development into potential drugs for the management of Type 2 diabetes. He designed various AI models and validated the abilities of these models to identify potential antidiabetic drugs of the future. The outcome of his research set the stage for a cheaper approach to develop drugs for diabetes mellitus (DM), a significant health challenge requiring more effective therapeutic interventions, especially from phytochemicals in Africa traditional herbal remedies.
NELIA ABRAHAM SANGA
Department: CHEMISTRY
Supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA
Co-supervisors: DR S DOUMAN, DR K POKPAS
Thesis:
Development of highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein
Description:
Aptasensor technologies that employ specialised DNA sequences for selective identification of disease biomarkers, are the favoured next generation diagnostic methods for real-time, point-of-need and cost-effective antigen tests for critical diseases. Ms Nelia Abraham Sanga’s PhD thesis introduces a label-free bio-electrochemical aptasensor device (b-ElectroAptaSens) for rapid signalling and quantitative determination of the nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 N-protein), which is an ideal biomarker target for antigen-based Covid-19 test. The b-ElectroAptaSens is unique in its ultra-sensitivity at very low concentrations of the N-protein biomarker, which was made possible by Ms Sanga’s newly created biocompatible tungsten telluride quantum dot amperometric signal amplifier.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR’S DEGREES DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
HAYELOM HILUF TESFAY
Department: CHEMISTRY
Supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA
Thesis:
Ferromagnetic metals-substituted kesterites for new generation photovoltaic cell
Description:
The global quest for sustainable energy with infinitesimal global warming effect, has created trade deficits, subtle monopoly and concomitant high cost in the solar cell market. This is because conventional solar cell technology depends on silicon, which China accounts for 75% of the 9 million metric tons produced annually. The consequence of the reliance on silicon technology is low clean-energy accessibility among rural communities in developing countries. Earth-abundant copper-zinc-tin chalcogenide-based minerals, called kesterites, are receiving much attention as silicon-free substitute materials for developing solar/ photovoltaic cells. Mr Hayelom Tesfay in his PhD work, produced new sets of cobalt-, nickeland manganese-containing nano-kesterites, which show great promise as efficient sunlight absorbers for next generation high performance solar cells.
ULRIC VAN BLOEMESTEIN
Department: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF G MANEVELDT
Co-supervisors: DR S TALJAARD, DR B NEWMAN
Thesis:
Tiered based framework for implementation of Dredge Disposal Management in South Africa in the context of the London Convention and Protocol
Description:
Internationally, the management and control of disposal of waste material at sea is coordinated and governed under the 1972 London Convention and the 1996 London Protocol. As a signatory, South Africa has domesticated this convention and protocol. Despite good progress therein, key challenges emerged in the assessment process and the actual implementation of waste disposal at sea, in particular, that of dredged material. With the support from national government, and acknowledging South Africa’s resource limitations, Ulric developed a novel tiered waste assessment framework to manage dredged material disposal in South Africa. Grounded in international best practice, the refined waste assessment framework can easily be adapted for use in other countries with similar regulatory processes.
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN POPULATION STUDIES
MAARSDORP KAUTHAR
Magna Cum Laude
Thesis:
Access to Maternal Health Services in South Africa
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
Co-supervisor: DR P RAMA
MAKHITHA TAKALANI BERLINE
Magna Cum Laude
Thesis:
Immunisation of children in Nigeria and Pakistan: a comparative study
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
WIESSIE THANDIWE LISA
Thesis:
A review on the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of youth unemployment in South Africa
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF N STIEGLER
MAGAGULA PHINDILE
Thesis:
Gender-based violence in South Africa: A multivariate analysis
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF S APPUNNI
MLONYENI SISIPHO SINOVUYO
Thesis:
The factors associated with school transport to get to educational institutions in South Africa
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: DR P NSENGIYUMVA
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES 2025
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED GEOLOGY
ARNOLD ANDY ANTONIO
Thesis:
A structural analysis of the Ou Kaapse Weg Fault Zone, Cape Peninsula, South Africa
Department: EARTH SCIENCE
Supervisor: PROF J VAN BEVER DONKER
Co-supervisor: MR H SOLOMON
NHASE SIPHOSETHU
Thesis:
Determination of Reservoir flow zones in the Eastern Bredasdorp Basin, South Africa using Core Analysis
Department: EARTH SCIENCE
Supervisor: PROF M OPUWARI
MANDEVHU SARAFINA MWATEGA
Thesis:
Dolerite intrusions within Iron Ore of Maremane Dome as possible time markers and stratigraphic control units
Department: EARTH SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR E KOVALEVA
Co-supervisor: DR M HUBER
SHIFOTOKA GERHARD MEKONDJO NAATANGWE
Thesis:
The geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of Proterozoic gneisses in the Lüderitz area, southern Namibia, insight into the evolution of the NW Namaqua Metamorphic province
Department: EARTH SCIENCE
Supervisor: PROF R BAILIE
Co-supervisor: DR P MACEY
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS
DIEDERICKS FARZAANA
Thesis:
The role of non-coding SNPs in multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIOINFORMATICS INSTITUTE
Supervisor: PROF A CHRISTOFFELS
FREDERICKS MOGAMAT RIDAA
Thesis:
3D Pharmcophore based identification of possible ATP-synthase inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb)
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIOINFORMATICS INSTITUTE
Supervisor: PROF A CHRISTOFFELS
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
ABRAHAMS AMEERAH
Magna Cum Laude
Thesis:
Bioprospecting for bacterial based cancer therapies
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF M KEYSTER
GAVHI PFUNZO
Cum Laude
Thesis:
Characterising the role of AtNOGCl a nitric oxide binding protein with guanylyl cyclase activity in ameliorating nutrient stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF T MULAUDZI-MASUKU
Co-supervisor: PROF E IWUOHA
NDIDI LUBABALO
Thesis:
Characterisation of plant growth promoting Actinobacteria from soil associated with Maize and Wheat
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF B KIRBY
ERASMUS ALEXANDRIA
Summa Cum Laude
Thesis:
In situ green synthesis of red wine silver nanoparticles for the production of antimicrobial cotton fabrics and the investigation of their biomedical effects
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF A MADIEHE
MHARI RUVIMBO
Cum Laude
Thesis:
Improvement of sorghum tolerance to drought stress using rhizospehric bacteria
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF N LUDIDI
Co-supervisor: DR A ALI
ROWLAND
Thesis:
DUGALD JOSEPH
Heterologous expression of a putative lodAB operon derived from Thalassomonas viridans
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF M TRINDADE
Co-supervisor: DR L VAN ZYL
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
TSHABALALA GUGU
Thesis:
Proteomic and biochemical analysis of apple cultivars to Venturia inaequalis infection
Department: BIOTECHNOLOGY
Supervisor: PROF A KLEIN
Co-supervisor: DR T KOOPMAN
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
BORCHJES LUKE DAVID
Thesis:
Adversarial Deep Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Cyber Defense in Software Defined Networks
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR C NYIRENDA
Co-supervisor: PROF L LEENEN
MAKAN KEITH HARALD ESRICK
Thesis:
Automated detection of race condition vulnerabilities in binary programmes using Symbolic Execution
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR M GHAZIASGAR
MACINGWANE APIWE Cum Laude
Thesis: Investigating Frequent Pattern-based models for improving Community Policing in South Africa
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR O ISAFIADE
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
NODODILE THANDILE
Thesis:
Substrate Blockchain-Enabled
InterPlanetary File System for Distributed Data Storage
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR C NYIRENDA
ABRAHAMS AMEERAH
Magna Cum Laude
Thesis: Research Asset Management System for Promoting Collaboration using PublishSubscribe and Immersive Technology
Department: COMPUTER SCIENCE
Supervisor: DR O ISAFIADE
Co-supervisor: DR R KOTZE
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE
BAATJES RON RYAN
Thesis:
Multipoles of the redshift-space power spectrum from SKAO and other surveys
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF R MAARTENS
HAWKSLEY JAMES BRENDAN
Thesis:
Investigating the effectiveness of Carbon Nanotubes for low inactive component Ni-rich cathodes for Lithium-ion Batteries
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF B BLADERGROEN
Co-supervisor: DR S HALINDINTWALI
DUBE YOLANDA
Thesis:
Detecting the turnover of the power spectrum with SKAO and other surveys
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF R MAARTENS
SMITH CRAIG BRYAN Cum Laude
Thesis:
Dynamical models of galaxies observed in HI line emission with MeerKAT
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: DR E ELSON
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES 2025
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE
THOBEJANE RESHOKETSWE
Cum Laude
Thesis:
HI Asymmetries and deficiencies in ALFALFA galaxies
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: DR E ELSON
TYUKA ODWA AZIZIPHO
Thesis:
Radioactive source measurements in a liquid xenon time projection chamber
Department: PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Supervisor: PROF S TRIAMBAK
Co-supervisor: DR B LENARDO
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN STATISTICAL SCIENCE
CRONJE WILLEM AMIE
Thesis:
Development of an application scorecard to enhance risk classification of low-risk clients
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF S STEEL
Co-supervisor: DR R JACOBS
MAHLANGU EDWIN
Thesis:
Econometric modelling of new and used passenger vehicle sales and studying the effect of varying Rand Dollar exchange rates
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF R BLIGNAUT
GWILIZA SIHLE
Thesis:
Optimising the liquidity model of Nedgroup Investments feeder funds
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: DR H BRYDON
Co-supervisor: MRS L BOSMAN
MOHUMED XABSA AHMED
Thesis:
Analysing exercise-associated muscle cramping in ultramarathon runners using predictive modelling
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: DR R LUUS
Co-supervisor: MS T WANNENBERG
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MASTER’S DEGREES 2025
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN STATISTICAL SCIENCE
MPURWANA YONELA
Thesis:
Comparison of probability of default term structure modelling methodologies for a revolving credit facility
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: DR J KEDDIE
2025
PHIGELAND KESIA
Thesis:
Econometric modelling of new passenger vehicle sales and studying the effect of varying prime interest rates
Department: STATISTICS AND POPULATION STUDIES
Supervisor: PROF S STEEL
Co-supervisor: DR J KEDDIE
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
HONOURS’ DEGREES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN APPLIED GEOLOGY
BONGA LUNATHI
GWALA SILINDILE COLLEEN
MAFUKATA TAKALANI
MANGALISO ARTHUR GIFT SPHIWO
MSEBI ASANDA YANGA
NGCEKE NQOBILE
NQASI ONELE
RASEROKA PEARL BOIPELO
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
CHOMA NTEBOGENG NQOBILE
COLLINS AXEL HIRAM
DAMOYI SANELE
DLAMINI SIPHAMANDLA
MNAKEKELI
ESA AQILA
FREDERICKS TIFFANY MADELAINE
JASON CORBYN
KHOTHATSO LEBESANA
LEISA NTABELENG TAMIA
MODIKOE KELETSO BRIDGETT
MULA LIYABONA
NANJEE HEMANI
NYUMBA AHLUME
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
HONOURS’ DEGREES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
OCKHUIS LASCA SHANNON
PETERSEN COURTNEY
SARS LEAH SIDNEY
SIGIJIMI ANELISIWE
TARANTAL ANDREA
TRERISE LOREN HANNAH
WALLACE TAMMY GABRIELLE
XULU LINDOKUHLE
SIYABONGA
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
RATSHIKOMBO SEDZANI MESHAK
Magna Cum Laude
MADZIME RUVARASHE
Cum Laude
NAGAYI MAYIMUNAH
Cum Laude
ROUSSEAU RENSHE PIERRE
Cum Laude
SIBANDA THABISANI
Cum Laude
ADAMS EMERALD ROSE
BALENI BONGA GIBSON
BEHARDIEN AMMAAR
CHUKWUKA UZOMA
DAVIDS AMIR
DHLAMINI PHILILE
DYANTYI PHILA
JAFFER SALMAAN
KAISER MATTHEW
KWINDA IPFI
LEKHULENI TUMELO PRIDE
MAGUBENI ONELA
MANUEL JUSTINE
MASELA ANDILE
MAWHAYI BONGANI
MAXWELL NICOLAH
MENWE OFENTSE
MODIBA MOSHIBUDI HENDRICA
MOHAMED ABDIRAHMAN
MOHAMUD
MVUNYISWA SIYANDA
NSUNBA PASCAL
PERUMAL KEEVESHIN
PETERSEN CHEZLYN JADE
PHASHA SEEFANE
PHASWANA PHATUTSHEDZO
SIKHUNYANA SITHABILE
TOFA MUADTH EBRAHIEM
VHUROMU ROLIVHUWA
ZENZILE LUBABALO
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
HONOURS’ DEGREES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER SCIENCE
ANDREWS KAINE ROMARIO ALZAINE
CABANE SIBONGAKONKE
COLLOP KALIN
JANTJIES KAYDEE CHARLIZE JOY
JOHNSAI NETTIE
KGAPHOLA THABANG KGOMAMAPITSI
MATELA NAPO LAWRENCE
MAXALA BOITUMELO LAURENDA
MLONYENI LUXOLO OWAM
MOTHAPO KABELO MABULE
MQEKE SIZIPIWE
NAIDOO CHLOE KRISTINE
RASIVHETSHELE PHINDULO
SEKGORO RENEILWE REDEMPTION
SELLO KEAMOGETSE
TOLBADI APHELELE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN MATHEMATICS
BALOI FAITH
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN MEDICAL BIOSCIENCE
ADONIS CHESNEY
CALENI SISIPHO
COOK ETHAN NICHOLAS
GERBER RONELLE
HENDRICKS KELSEA CARLA
JACOBS ZOLANI
JAGGER JUNAID
KAMALDIEN SONIYAH
KITSILI KUHLE
MAY FAITH
MDLULI LINDOKUHLE NZUZO
NOMBEWU LUPHELELE
NONGAWUZA LESEDI KHANYI
SAMSODIEN NUHA
SIYAYA CARLA
VAN RENSBURG DANEILLE
SASHA-LEIGH
WASHINGGREEN LU-CARDO
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED GEOLOGY
QIBI EMMANUEL
Magna Cum Laude
VAN WYK FAITH PRAISE
Magna Cum Laude
THOMAS LYLE
Cum Laude
ABRAHAMS ZAAIDAH
BENELZANE PHUKOANE
BLANDILE NIKITA
BOQWANE SIHLE
FALTEIN LILITHA
MABASO MELISSA
MALOWA TENDAMUDZIMU
MANYIKE ROLLEN
MARS VERNON
MASELELA NATASH PUSELETSO
MASHISHI KUTLO
MDAKA ENETO
MOEPEDI OFILE KEALEBOGA
NDIBI LWAZI
NGOBENI KOKETSO
NOMZANGA ESIHLE
PHIDZAULIMA KHUTHADZO SHARON
SOBHUZA LIYABONA
BESTER RHOGAN IACON
DAVIDS JAYMIN PIERR
FOMOKHWE LUYOLO
HAMISI SHANDUKANI JUDITH
HLATSHWAYO KHANYISILE CHARITY
HLELINGANE ASANDA CLEOPATRA
KASAMBAYI DELAPAIX
KGOLE MARAMBANE PENELOPE
KONGOLO ARSENE KABEYA
LOTT TAFFI CASSIDY
MAHLANGU ZIPHO MAKHABUKHABU
MAKASANE TSAKANI
MAKGWALE COMFORT MAKHULWANE
MAMABOLO MOJALEFA MOKETLA
MANDLA LWANDILE
MAPHEPA KOENA NTSOAKI
MASANGO BANELISIWE
MATSHIKIZA MILISA
MAWASHA SETLABOSWANA
VANESSA PALESA
MJINDI UKHANYO
MKHOMAZI NKOSINATHI
MONCHO ONTHUTILE
MOTLOHI KEABETSOE LESEDI
MPAMBANI ASIPHE
MPONGWANA SANELISIWE
MTOKWANA THANDOKUHLE VENNESA
NDLOVU VUYELWA
NGUNGU SIPHOKAZI
SAMBO TWARISANI TRINITY
SATHEKGE THATO
SIKHWARI MUKHETHWA
THINANE NEO RELEBOHILE
VANYA SONGE
WAKENI LISAKHANYA
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
CHASE DAKARA
Magna Cum Laude
MOKGOHLOA BRIGETTE NARE
Magna Cum Laude
BOOYSEN LUCIANO EDWIN
Cum Laude DAWNAY
DUBE NOMVUYO RISHA LEILA
Cum Laude
FARLANE LEVY MOLAHLEHI
Cum Laude
FEBRUARY KAUTHAR
Cum Laude
MOOKISI MATLHOGONOLO
Cum Laude
WENN SHIVAAN
Cum Laude
ABRAHAMS SYDNEY-LEE
APPOLLIS ASHLEY RICARDO
BAYENI ZAMABAYENI
BROWN KAYLA TARA
DE KOKER CHERWIN CHESTER
DE WET NAOMIE
DIEPU SINESIPHO RUNAAZ
DLEZI LINDILE ANABEL
EBRAHIM ZAKIYYAH
FEKENISI KHAZIMLA
FLEURS CHARL
GWELE LULAMELA
HUMA PRECIOUS KOKETSO
JAFTHA MIKAYLA LOUISE
JAMAL SABA
JOSEPHUS ASHLEIGH DENAY
KARRIEM YUSRAH
KHETHIWE NANDE
KLAAS MMANGALISO
KUTUMELA LERATO
LAISAI MATTHEW KENNETH
LE GRANSIE CLEO
LEBIPI RESHOKETSWE TSHEGOFATSO
MABUDUGA PHULUSO
MADOLI ASITHANDILE
MAGAHLE MMATHAPELO NICOLETTE
MALOTANE MAUNGOA MALULEKA FLORENCE
MAMATSIARI NOMAKHOSAZANA PRINCESS
MANELI THANDISWA
MANGESI ZENANDE
MANUEL RAEESA
MARANDU EMMANUEL HONEST
MASHISHI NEO MIETA
MFULANA LUTHO
MHLAKAZA VUYOKAZI
MKHIZE MALUSI
MKONO ATHULE MKONO
MOFOKENG THUSO CLIVE
MOGWADUBA LINDOKUHLE
MOOPELWA TSHEGOFATSO PRECIOUS
MQUSHULU ZIZIPHO-ZETHU GIFT
MUSIAMO SIBONGILE PRISCA
MYENDEKI ISITHWELE ALULUTHO
NCOKO ITUMELENG
NDEDE BUHLE
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
NDUMO SIBONELO
NDZENDZE LUTO PRISCILLA
NEL TATIM MELLENY
NEWMAN MAXWELL
MASON
NGALONKULU SIMAMKELE
KHANYISILE
NKOMEJE MARTIN UWAYO
NKOSI JUNIOR
NKOSI NKOSINGIPHILE NKOSINATHI
ALPHEUS
NOGIXA ONIKA
RANKWE TSWELETSO SHADI
RATHOGWA NKOSINATHI EMMANUEL
SHEZI KHANYISILE YOLANDA
SIBUYI MBALI INNOCENTIA SOFUTE BUSISIWE
STUURMAN OLWETHU
TERRY ROWAN LESLIE
WILLIAMS MATTHEW MARC
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
HYMAN JOSHUA
Summa Cum Laude
BANDARKAR MOHAMED ASAD AZIM
Magna Cum Laude
MALOMA MOROKA KGOTSO
Magna Cum Laude
THIPE OMPHILE
Magna Cum Laude
BIYELA NOKWANDA ANDISWA
Cum Laude
HASWARY HASAN
Cum Laude
MANDEBVU GABRIELLA
Cum Laude
ADAMS NURAAN
AHMED AQEEB
ANTHONY MOGAMAT NIYAAZ
BALLIM MUHAMMED RASHEED
BANGENI ANIKIWE
GALANT MAHDI
HELEBA LIYEMA
KELLERMAN EMILE BEMIN
KHAWULA LUYANDA
LOMANI SINOXOLO
MABASA TSHOLANANG
MABENA VICTORIA NOLWAZI
MACHEKE DUMISANE GIFT
MADONSELA WITHNESS MANDISA
MAGWAZA AZWILE MLUNGISI JR
MAKALUZA IMONGE MIHLA
MALAMBE MELUSI IVAN TYRANN
MATLHOMA JOHANNES THABANG
MATODZI AREHONE
MATSHOMO TSHIANELO FHOLISANI
MNCWABE LUVUYO SONWABILE
MOFU RENATE
MOGANEDI OBAMELA
MOHUBE VUTOMI
MORRISON JAYDIN TYLER
MOTAUNG OLERATO
MPAULODI SINOTHANDO
MTSWENI ISAAC DUMISANI
MUDAU ROVHONA
MUGAGADELI FUNANANI
NHLAPO NKULULEKO VILLICENT
NTETA BASETSANA LORATO
NTSONDWA BUHLE
PETERSEN NATHANIAL
PHILISO LUSIZO
PHUNCU OLO
POTWANA SIPHESIHLE
RALUDZINGANA SHUMANI
RUBUSHE YANGA
SEWPAUL TREDIR
SHANDU ROBERT MINENHLE
SULIMAN MUJTABAA
THABETHE BHEKUMUZI SIYABONGA
THABETHE LWAZI EVENCE
TSANWANI VHUTALI
TSHIVHIDZO UFHANO REHOBOTH
XANASI ATHULE
ZWANE NTSELE
FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL BIOSCIENCE
NAKIYINGI NICOLE SHANTAL
Cum Laude
SABLES NIYAAZ
Cum Laude
ABDEREMANE CHARIF RAHMAH JAMALULEIL
AHJUM-MATHEE HAJAR KAGISO
AL-THA IRAH
BADUZA PHAKAMISA
BEINING BLAKE LOGAN
BOGATSU AYANDA OLGA
BOTHETSA MATHATO CHARMAINE
DJIANE LUYANDA
FEBRUARY MICHE CHANTE
GQEYA MELINKOSI
GUSHA KAMVELIHLE
HENRIQUES TARYN JANE
HERANDIEN CHANTE ASHLEIGH
JAXA SINALO
KROTZ ENRETHA
LONDT YAASIEN
MADUNA HLENGIWE
JENNIFER
MAKENA THATO
MAKHUBELA CHONE DIKELEDI
MALLICK ILYAAS
MANCHEST ROBYN-LEE
MAPHAHA RINAYE
MBAM NANDE
MDINGI NTSIKA MAHLE
MILLER BRANDON-LEE
MLONYENI BUNTU
MNCAMENI OKUHLE
MOGASHOA SIPHOSIHLE
MOGODIRI ATLARELANG NALEDI
MOHLALA KHOMOTSO
MOKGWARIPA THATO NKOMI
MONCO SIMPHIWE VICTOR
MOSIA MPHO
MRWETYANA KWATHI BUNZULU
MTHIMKHULU SLAYELO
MULAUDZI TSHIANEO EADITH
MUNERI THABELO
MWENJE VONGAI
NGWENYA THUBELIHLE KIMBERLY
NORDIEN GHANNAAN
NYONI AUDREY KELLY
PARKER MUHAMMAD ASIM
PHAKANE TSHEPANG
POOLE MAURICIA
PRETORIUS ZOE
RANI ATHULE
SADIKI MUDZIELWANA
SAMUELS MARCHELLE CHELDINE
SEDRAS TAMICA JADE
SEKOME MAKGATLE
SEKWAILA MASILO MICHEAL-JUNIOR
SHABOODIEN ROESHDAH
SIEBRITZ TAYLOR-LEIGH
SITHOLE PROMISE ASANDA
STUURMAN LEE-ANN
TAWANA MORENA
WEHR NINA
WESSELS LEILAH
ZENZILE YENA
HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES
1983
S. Motsuenyane, Doctor Commercii
M.C. O’Dowd, Doctor Commercii
1984
E. Theron, Doctor Legum
1987
B. Breytenbach, Doctor Litterarum
R.E. van de Ross, Doctor Educationis
1989
J.C. de Villiers, Doctor Scientiae
G.A.M. Mbeki, Doctor Philosophiae
1990
N.R. Mandela, Doctor Legum
O.R. Tambo, Doctor Legum
1991
R.E. Alexander, Doctor Commercii
G.S. Machel, Doctor Legum
D. Mitterand, Doctor Litterarum
D. Zihlangu, Doctor Educationis
1993
G. Boonzaaier, Doctor Litterarum
B. Head, Doctor Litterarum (posthumous)
A. Ibrahim, Doctor Litterarum
E. Mancoba, Doctor Litterarum
1995
G.J. Gerwel, Doctor Educationis
P.M. Sonn, Doctor Legum
1996
G.H. Brundtland, Doctor Legum
T.N. Chapman, Doctor Commercii
J.J.F. Durand, Doctor Philosophiae
P. Gorvalla, Doctor Commercii
HEADER SUB-HEADER
1997
B. Davidson, Doctor Litterarum
E.L. King, Doctor Theologiae
I. Mohamed, Doctor Scientiae
F.B. Naude, Doctor Theologiae
J.N. Scholten, Doctor Legum
R. Turner, Doctor Educationis
1998
J. Derrida, Doctor Litterarum
M. Nuttall, Doctor Theologiae
M.A Oduyoye, Doctor Theologiae
J. Reddy, Doctor Educationis
2001
V.H. Faigle, Doctor Theologiae
G. ‘t Hooft, Doctor Scientiae
P.N. Langa, Doctor Legum
A. Small, Doctor Litterarum
2002
W.H. Gray III, Doctor Philosophiae
C.L.R.Hirschsohn, Doctor Philosophiae
T. Manuel, Doctor Commercii
D. Philip, Doctor Litterarum
M. Philip, Doctor Litterarum
D.M.B. Tutu, Doctor Legum
2003
K. Mokhele, Doctor Scientiae
T. D. Fredericks, Doctor Educationis
P.D. Uys, Doctor Educationis
2004
K. Asmal, Doctor Legum
E. de Keyser, Doctor Commercii
G. Fitzgerald, Doctor Litterarum
A. Omar, Doctor Legum (posthumous)
A. Sachs, Doctor Litterarum
A. Sisulu, Doctor Curationis
W. Sisulu, Doctor Legum (posthumous)
HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES
2005
A. Achmat, Doctor Philosophiae
C.J Bundy, Doctor Philosophiae
E.K.M. Dido, Doctor Litterarum
T. Jones, Doctor Philosophiae
J. Fagan, Doctor Legum
I. Mahomed, Doctor Legum (posthumous)
2006
F. Ginwala, Doctor Administrationis
2007
E. Abrahams, Doctor Philosophiae
E. Braune, Doctor Philosophiae
A. Chaskalson, Doctor Legum
D. Jordaan, Doctor Philosophiae
R. Kadalie, Doctor Litterarum
P. Mlambo-Ngcuka, Philosophiae Doctor
Y. Mokgoro, Doctor Legum
V.G. Shubin, Doctor Philosophiae
2008
W.E. Morrow, Doctor Educationis
2009
P. Govender, Doctor Legum
2010
A. Adebajo, Doctor Philosophiae
M.S. Dien, Philosophiae Doctor (posthumous)
B.L. Fanaroff, Doctor Philosophiae
P. Olumfemi-Kayode, Doctor Philosophiae
R. Simonsen, Doctor Philosophiae
P.K. Tergat, Doctor Philosophiae
D. Tulu, Doctor Philosophiae
2011
S.B. Biko, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
S.B.A. Isaacs, Doctor Educationis
P. Magrath, Doctor Litterarum
M. Shear, Doctor Philosophiae
M. Temmerman, Doctor Philosophiae
R.B. Wolf, Doctor Philosophiae
2012
B. Gawanas, Doctor Legum
E. Moosa, Doctor Legum
R.E. Reddock, Doctor Philosophiae
H. Shaper, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
A. Sheiham, Doctor Philosophiae
2013
H. Howa, Doctor Philosophiae
T. Jones, Doctor Philosophiae
J. Matthews, Doctor Philosophiae
G. Merino O.P, Doctor Theologiae
2014
A. Haron, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
2015
A. Jedaar, Doctor Philosophiae
2016
H. Adams, Doctor Philosophiae
F. Robertson, Doctor Philosophiae
M. Tsedu, Doctor Philosophiae
2017
M. Lapsley, Doctor Philosophiae
2018
Z Skweyiya, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
2021
Z. Wicomb, Doctor Philosophiae
A.A. Boesak, Doctor Philosophiae
W. Kentridge, (jointly awarded with Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ghent University)
2022
K.K. Prah, Doctor Philosophiae
I. Sooliman, Doctor Philosophiae
HONORARY DEGREE AWARDEES
SUB-HEADER 1983-2024
2023
C. Hani, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
D.E. Moseneke, Doctor Philosophiae
S.Z. Zotwana, Doctor Philosophiae
2024
M.Y. Choi, Doctor Philosophiae
H. Kummeling, Doctor Philosophiae
C. Pauwels, Doctor Philosophiae (posthumous)
2018
Ebrahim Rhoha
2021
AB Mahomed
Derek Joubert
Peter Takelo
HEADER SUB-HEADER 2018-2024 GOLD MEDALISTS
2022
Sean Patrick Lance
Peter Wilson
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
2024
Albert Lois Sachs
UWC GRADUATION ATTIRE
MEANING AND SYMBOLISM
HEADER SUB-HEADER
The three proteas symbolise Teaching, Culture and Education.
The stepped pattern represents the steps that lead to the Greek temple. This is the international symbol for academia and our recognition that we are a part of it.
The laurel leaves indicate competition and victory.
The diamond-shaped protea petal represents strength of character, ethics and faithfulness to oneself and others.
The continuous pattern that extends from the front to the back speaks to Respice Prospice, which means to look back, to look forward. Take what is good from the past and build the future.
The beaded effect is meant to reflect African craft and creativity.
The colours that make up the band are derived from those that represent the seven Faculties that make up the University.
CAP Black John Knox cap with silver tassel.
Peony red edged with silver trim.
THE CAP
Black John Knox cap with gold tassel. BACK OF THE YOKE
Black edged with gold trim.
THE SLEEVE
Open sleeves, looped up with gold cord and lined with gold satin.
THE GOWN
Black with full facings of gold and trimmed yoke.
Black John Knox cap with silver tassel.
Black edged with silver trim.
SLEEVE
Open sleeves, looped up with silver cord and lined with empire blue satin.
GOWN
Black with full facings of empire blue.
GRADUATION ATTIRE
AND HOODS GOWN
1 THE GOWN
Black (all degrees, diplomas and certificates, except Doctoral degrees)
Arts and Humanities
Community and Health Sciences
Dentistry
Economic and Management
Sciences
Education
Law
Natural Sciences
THE MOTIF
Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour.
THE COWL
Trimmed based on the type of qualification being conferred.
THE NECKBAND
The neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.
THE HOOD
Full hood in black.
2
CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS
(NQF LEVEL 5 AND 6)
Black, with gold and blue strips.
GRADUATION ATTIRE
HOODS
3 BACHELORS
(NQF LEVEL 7)
Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.
Degrees: BA, BSc, BCom, BAdmin, BA (SRES), BSc (Complementary Health Sciences), BOH, PGCE
5
ADVANCED BACHELORS
(NQF LEVEL 8)
Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in platinum colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.
Degrees and Diplomas: All Honours degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas
4
PROFESSIONAL/SENIOR BACHELORS
(NQF LEVEL 8)
Black, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in gold colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.
Black, lined with the Faculty colour, edged with symbolic print in the Faculty colour and trimmed on the cowl with cord in the Faculty colour; the neckband emblazoned with the protea in the Faculty colour.
