​​The musician, playwright and environmental activist David Kramer​ became an honorary Matie on Friday 25 April when an honorary doctorate was conferred on him at the last of seventh graduation ceremonies hosted by Stellenbosch University in April.

Four honorary doctorates and approximately 384 degrees in the Faculties of Education, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences and Military Science were awarded at Friday's ceremony.

Apart from Kramer, the University also conferred honorary doctorates on businessman and physician Dr Edwin Hertzog; theologian Prof Wolfgang Huber and the academic, legal scholar and former SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Andreas van Wyk. 

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, was awarded to Dr Hertzog as a visionary South African physician and businessman for his invaluable and sustained contribution to ensuring high-quality private healthcare in South Africa and abroad, and as an extraordinary leader and benefactor for his support to the University.

Prof Huber received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, for his extensive and influential contribution as an academic, a church leader, public figure and opinion shaper on social ethics in Germany and internationally, including South Africa.

David Kramer received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, for his remarkable contribution to South Africa's cultural life as a thoughtful and ever-experimenting cultural practitioner, versatile artist – songwriter, singer, musician, playwright and director – and environmental activist; for elucidating social issues from a cultural perspective; and for enriching our national music heritage by showcasing marginalised and endangered musical practices and traditions.

As an innovative leader and brilliant academic and legal scholar, for his contribution to national development, to constitutional transformation and to higher education, as well as to the promotion of the university town of Stellenbosch and surrounds, the degree of Doctor of Law, (LLD), honoris causa, was awarded to Prof Van Wyk.​

A former Student Representative Council chairperson Anina Botha received her LLB degree, as did Odwa Mjezu, a young man who earned a second degree at SU despite difficult financial circumstances. Before the LLB degree he had also received a BSc degree in Human Life Sciences.

Mjezu, currently a candidate attorney at the law firm Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, grew up in the township Mbekweni in Paarl and matriculated from New Orleans Seconday School. He has three brothers, two elder and one younger, and is the only one who has earned a tertiary qualification.

During his student years he struggled financially but he persevered and his qualifications have opened doors for him. He wants his younger brother to better his matric marks so that he can also gain access to university.

"My dream is to encourage other people to look beyond the boundaries of the township and to realise that there is 'life after matric'."

Thanks to his background in science, he is interested in specialising in intellectual property law.

Approximately 2700 students graduated during the April graduation ceremonies.​

Photos: Anton Jordaan