Rhodes University will on Friday posthumously confer an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature (DLitt) on cultural activist and diplomat Lindiwe Mabuza.
Mabuza, a South African politician, diplomat, poet, academic, journalist, and cultural activist, died on December 6 at the age of 83.
She succumbed to cancer after having accepted her honour from the university.
Mabuza was an anti-apartheid activist who served as a MP before pursuing a career as a distinguished diplomat.
The late ambassador was born in the coal-mining town of Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal in 1938.
After passing her matric, she enrolled at Roma University in Lesotho and, in 1961, moved to Swaziland, where she taught English and isiZulu literature.
In 1964, Mabuza began graduate studies in English at Stanford University, California, and became an assistant professor at Ohio University in 1969 where she taught literature, history and studies of international racism and injustice for eight years.
Mabuza joined the ANC in 1975 and became a journalist for the party’s Radio Freedom, which was based in Lusaka, Zambia.
Her concern with women’s issues led to her involvement with Voice of the Women (VOW), the ANC’s feminist journal, which encouraged women to write poetry.
A widely-respected poet, Mabuza has had five volumes of poetry published around the world.
Her publications include: Malibongwe, One Never Knows — poetry and short stories by African Congress Women; From ANC to Sweden; Letter to Letta; Africa to Me; and Voices that Lead..
Rhodes University vice-chancellor prof Sizwe Mabizela said SA owed Mabuza an enormous debt of gratitude for her sacrifices as a committed freedom fighter, a determined cultural and literary activist and a champion for women’s emancipation.
“She was a phenomenal woman; a woman of grace; a woman of elegance; an embodiment of humility; and courage and dedication personified,” Mabizela said.
“Her use of poetry and other writings as a weapon against the brutal and iniquitous system of apartheid created hope for many who could not return to the place of their birth.”
Mabuza was instrumental in the creation of the ANC’s ensemble Amandla! She promoted the concept in Scandinavia.
In 1986, she moved to the US and organised anti-apartheid boycotts and rallies and put pressure on major corporations to withdraw their investments and facilities from SA.
Almost all of her various callings — educator, radio journalist, writer — pointed towards one goal, which was to abolish apartheid in SA.
In 2014, she was awarded the presidential Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for “her excellent contribution to mobilising the use of arts and application of creativity for democracy — displaying that cultural activism played a significant role in achieving democracy”.
Mabuza served as South African ambassador to Germany, Malaysia, the Philippines and the UK.
She received numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Durban-Westville in 1993, the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 2003 and the Yari Yari Award for contributions to Human Rights and Literature from New York University in 1997.
In 2003, while serving as SA High Commissioner to the UK and the Republic of Ireland, she was named by Diplomat Magazine as Diplomat of the Year.
Mabuza’s daughter and chairperson of RAF Board, Thembi Msibi, will receive the honour on her behalf.
“On behalf of my mother, Lindiwe Mabuza, we thank Rhodes University for this prestigious award.
“As a family, we are both humbled and honoured at the recognition of her contribution and commitment to the struggle and her beloved country, South Africa.
“It is most heartening that she was aware of this accolade as she received the letter from Rhodes shortly before her death.
“Indeed, I am convinced she is smiling down from the heavens.”
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