Local News
CUT honours novelist Zakes Mda─── 17:51 Fri, 20 Mar 2015
Bloemfontein - The Faculty of Humanities at Central University of Technology, Free State honoured Prof. Zakes Mda with an Honorary Doctor of Technology Degree in Language Practice for his contribution to language practice in areas of contemporary literature and creative writing.
Born in 1948, Herschel, South Africa, he completed his PhD at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
An internationally acclaimed novelist, poet, and playwright, Prof. Mda is a full Professor in Creative Writing at the Ohio University in the USA; who distinguished himself among his peers. His work has been an inspiration to many institutions all over the world and everyone who had worked with him. For our students, they will draw much inspiration and lessons from his life as an artist, activist and academic.
His books have been translated into 21 languages; most notable being: We Shall Sing for the Fatherland (1979), The Hill (1980), Ways of Dying (1995), Melville 67 (1998), The Heart of Redness (2000), The Madonna of Excelsior (2002) and Black Diamond (2009). His anthology of four plays titled ‘The plays of Zakes Mda’ was translated into nine official languages of South Africa, which demonstrates the relevance and popularity of his works.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on 18th March 2015, Prof. Mda said, “I must express my gratitude for this honour you have bestowed on me today. I pass my congratulations to all graduates who are reaping the rewards of dedication, devotion, and hard work. You are graduates of an institution that boasts unique achievements in our Democratic South Africa. This university prides itself of being a CUT above the rest with 44% enrolment in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The crowning glory of this university is that women have come to excel in fields that have previously been dominated by men.”
An internationally acclaimed novelist, poet, and playwright, Prof. Mda is a full Professor in Creative Writing at the Ohio University in the USA; who distinguished himself among his peers. His work has been an inspiration to many institutions all over the world and everyone who had worked with him. For our students, they will draw much inspiration and lessons from his life as an artist, activist and academic.
His books have been translated into 21 languages; most notable being: We Shall Sing for the Fatherland (1979), The Hill (1980), Ways of Dying (1995), Melville 67 (1998), The Heart of Redness (2000), The Madonna of Excelsior (2002) and Black Diamond (2009). His anthology of four plays titled ‘The plays of Zakes Mda’ was translated into nine official languages of South Africa, which demonstrates the relevance and popularity of his works.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on 18th March 2015, Prof. Mda said, “I must express my gratitude for this honour you have bestowed on me today. I pass my congratulations to all graduates who are reaping the rewards of dedication, devotion, and hard work. You are graduates of an institution that boasts unique achievements in our Democratic South Africa. This university prides itself of being a CUT above the rest with 44% enrolment in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The crowning glory of this university is that women have come to excel in fields that have previously been dominated by men.”
Statement supplied
