Page 22 - Thetha Issue 6

HONORARY DOCTORATES

elebrated media personality Dr Noxolo
Grootboom’s contribution to journalism and the
C upliftment of her linguistic heritage spanned a
staggering 37-year career.
The retired isiXhosa television newsreader left the
South African Broadcasting Association (SABC) in 2021.
What remains is a rich and enduring legacy.
Born in Lady Frere, Eastern Cape, in 1960, Dr
Grootboom’s media career began quietly enough, with a
typist’s position at the public broadcaster. She would rise
through the ranks as a current affairs producer and field
journalist before her big break in 1990, when asked to read
a late news bulletin, which led to becoming isiXhosa news
anchor.
Her ability to authentically deliver fine isiXhosa prose
without being theatrical or clichéd
in news reporting, and her love Dr Noxolo Grootboom
for beautiful spoken language DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (HONORIS CAUSA)
and excellent vocal delivery,
cemented Dr Grootboom’s role as
one of South Africa’s most popular and well-loved news last news broadcast to an audience of almost four million
personalities. people, marking her retirement. That news broadcast
More than a seasoned broadcaster, Dr Grootboom coincided with a “family meeting” by President Cyril
also had a deep understanding of the culture, customs and Ramaphosa, who duly moved his time slot up by half an
traditions of amaXhosa, and prided herself as a storyteller hour to allow her audience to witness her final bulletin.
whose foundation for learning about these was rooted in As with all her bulletins, she ended her broadcast with
her rural, informal teaching in the Eastern Cape. her well-known mantra, “Ndinithanda nonke emakhaya”
On 30 March 2021, Noxolo Grootboom delivered her which, loosely translated, means “I love you all at home”.

n a bittersweet accolade for one of Mandela
University’s game-changing academics, the
Iinstitution conferred an honorary doctorate on
acclaimed paediatric cardiologist and former executive
dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the late
Professor Lungile Pepeta, on 29 April.
The trailblazing medical pioneer was tragically felled by
COVID-19 in August 2020, in the midst of a crucial time in
the establishment of the new Medical School.
Prof Pepeta joined the University in January, 2017,
and served the institution with excellence, demonstrating
exceptional leadership through the establishment of
South Africa’s tenth medical school and championing the
accreditation of the undergraduate medical programme.
An active scholar, his contribution to
paediatric cardiology research extends to over Professor Lungile Pepeta
20 research-related outputs, and professional
memberships included President of the DOCTOR OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Paediatric Cardiac Society of South Africa, Vice- (HONORIS CAUSA) POSTHUMOUS
President of the South African Heart Association
and Executive Member of the South African Paediatric Vuyo Pepeta said: “He bounced at many doors so that we
Association. would have access; he suffered so that many would thrive
Prof Pepeta embodied Mandela University values, on his legacy. His life was cut shorter so that our people
particularly in being in service of society, through public might live longer through his sacrifices.”
health accountability and advocating for eradication of At the time of his untimely passing, Vice-Chancellor
inequities in healthcare provision, especially in remote Prof Sibongile Muthwa spoke of the huge impact that he
and under-resourced communities of the Eastern Cape, in had on society at large.
particular, and South Africa, as a whole. “He changed lives through his academic expertise and
Accepting the doctorate on behalf of her husband, Dr his care for people’s well-being and personal situations.”

22 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022