FoAD honours Kumi Naidoo with Honorary Doctorate


Environmental rights activist, Dr Kumi Naidoo (centre) with Chancellor, Judge Vuka Tshabalala, Dr René Smith, Dr Dudu Mzindle and Ayesha Mall. 

Durban-born Human and Environmental rights activist, Dr Kumi Naidoo was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree by the Faculty of Arts and Design recently.

Dr Naidoo extended his gratitude for the role the university played in his life, at the Faculty’s graduation ceremony held at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko Campus.

“This University played a key role in helping with my education because when I was expelled at the age of 15 and again at the age of 16, I got reinstated again, to finish our matric. We had to do night classes and that time ML Sultan, which is part of DUT, had these night classes for all of us that were expelled from different townships across Durban. During the day so we used to do our political work and come for classes at night. That is how I managed write and finish my matric and received the Rhodes scholarship to study art,” said Dr Naidoo.  

Naidoo was the head of Greenpeace, a non-governmental global organisation, that campaigns to change the attitudes and behaviour of people, and to protect and conserve the environment.

Although his passion lies in environmental rights, he now serves as the board Chairperson of Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity. He is also a board member of climate justice group, 350.org and is an ambassador to the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute.
Upon commenting on his graduation, he added that it was an honour to be able to receive an honorary doctorate in an institution like DUT, since in the days of apartheid, he and his fellow comrades were expelled in such institutions.

Dr Naidoo advised the graduates that they should never adjust to corruption, mediocrity, extreme levels of inequality and obscene actions by some of the country’s leaders.


“We cannot have a situation in a country where so many of our people go to bed without food, so many of our people do not have access to electricity and water, yet, we see billions and billions being wasted, so I say to you do not adjust to that, stand up and resist that,” said Dr Naidoo.

-SOFTCOPY REPOTER AND CARLY VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

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