RHODES University is set to honour retired news anchor Noxolo Grootboom with an honorary doctorate.
According to the university, Noxolo will be conferred the degree Doctor of Letters (D Litt) (honoris causa) at its second virtual graduation on 29 October.
The institution said it was honouring her for her significant promotion of national pride and culture throughout her career, that spanned 37 years, at the SABC.
Through a statement, vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said our nation owed her an unpayable debt of gratitude and appreciation for all she had done to give hope to many South Africans and for being a passionate advocate of the isiXhosa language.
“Mam’ Noxolo read the news so beautifully, and with such pride. We thought it was important for Rhodes to acknowledge her many contributions to society. Her trademark sign-off line ‘Nanga ngobubusuku ningalala nombethe ingubo yemvisiswano, uxolo, nothando. Ndinithanda nonke emakhaya’ will remain her profound and lasting gift of love, peace and care to our nation. Her humility and humanity will never be forgotten. She deserves this highest honour of the university,” he said.
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Noxolo said she was speechless and humbled.
“I am out of words to thank Rhodes for the honour bestowed upon me. Each event of my life is a lesson that cannot be merely explained. Even though I had minimal opportunities to further my studies, it seemed as if my dreams about my future were perishing,” she said.
“Today, Rhodes teaches me that hope is always ignited when it seems as though your dreams are perishing. And when that hope is ignited, it leads you to a new dream. I feel like I am a living example to the youth,” she said.
“This is because, when you devote yourself to your work, new opportunities open up. I am very thankful to Rhodes for this opportunity. Only a wicked person despises success. Lastly, I would have failed if I did not express my sincere gratitude to my home language. I am being honoured today because of isiXhosa,” she added.
