Africa-Press – Malawi. The University of South Africa (Unisa) has denied conferring an honorary doctorate to Malawian socialite Phemphero Mphande, musician Patience Namadingo, and Mansoor Sharif Karim.
According to a statement signed by Unisa Acting Registrar, Professor Moloko Sepota states that the institution has not conferred any such degrees on the trio and that any assertion to this effect is simply not true.
The statement comes hours after social media was awash with reports that Mphande has been awarded an honorary doctorate in community development by Unisa.
“These three individuals are also not amongst the candidates considered and approved for the awarding of honorary doctorates in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
“Neither have they ever been nominated, considered, or approved for such honors at any period whatsoever. No honorary degrees were awarded in 2022 Furthermore, the certificates displayed by Messrs Mphande and Namadingo respectively are not Unisa degree certificates,’ reads the UNISA statement in part.
UNISA adds, “For the record, the awarding of honorary doctorates at Unisa occurs through a strictly controlled process, with nominations and approvals handled through various governance structures of the university until final approval by the University Council.
“Once such approval has been secured, the conferment itself is done at an open graduation ceremony of the university, in full view of those attending and presided over by a duly authorized official of the university, usually the Chancellor or Principal and Vice-Chancellor”.
Sepota explains further, “Any claim of the awarding of an honorary degree which did not follow this process cannot be an official Unisa process. As a university, we distance ourselves from these false claims and also condemn in the strongest terms the misuse of the Unisa name for fraudulent conduct.
“Relevant officials within the university have been directed to look into this matter and ensure that these individuals are held to account and also made to retract any false claims”. Mphande was on his Facebook page overpraising the award.
“Today, 4th November 2023, I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Community Development at the University of South Africa in Pretoria. This is in recognition of the work we have been doing to support the less privileged that have seen us raise over 200 million Kwacha over the years. We have supported over 10 people in getting life-saving treatment abroad, supported over 50 needy students with fees and other needs, we have supported orphans through orphanages, and many other people.
“It is also in recognition of our social impact overall including psychosocial support to those who are battling depression and other mental health issues. This Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) belongs to all of you- the praise team. This is motivation for us to do more and better. May God be with us!”, lauds Mphande. While Namadingo has been boasting gotten the Doctorate Paper, claiming to be, “Dr. Patience Namadingo”.
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