​The academic, poet and playwright, Prof Adam Small, and the space scientist, Dr Japie van Zyl, who played a leadership role in the successful Curiosity mission to Mars in 2012, are among the latest group of recipients of honorary degrees from Stellenbosch University (SU).

The other recipients are the award-winning psychologist and Nobel prize recipient, Prof Daniel Kahneman; the statistician-general, Mr Pali Lehohla; the veteran political economist and legendary academic, Prof Sampie Terreblanche; the academic,  jurist, campaigner for human rights and judge of the Constitutional Court, Judge Edwin Cameron; and the internationally renowned jurist, campaigner for women's rights and gender equality and also judge of the Constitutional Court, Judge Kate O'Regan.

Every year, SU awards honorary degrees to recognise and reward excellence in a variety of fields and to identify these individuals as role models for the University community.

Amongst others, Judge Edwin Cameron is honoured for his unstinting professional and personal advocacy for the recognition of every person's dignity, freedom and equality and for his role in securing the inclusion of sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Bill of Rights and for being key in the struggle for a rational public HIV/Aids treatment plan.

The award-winning psychologist Prof Daniel Kahneman is well-known for his research in the areas of decision-making and behavioural economy. Along with his long-standing collaborator Amos Tversky, he developed the behavioural economic prospect theory for which he received the Nobel Prize.

Through his enhancement of Statistics SA's internal capacity as well as statistics policy and utilisation in Africa, Mr Pali Lehohla's name has become synonymous with unlocking data along with the human talent behind it while his concern about the state of official statistics extends beyond South Africa. Mr Lehohla is honoured for among others his innovative leadership in the field of statistics, and special focus on the concomitant development of human capital.

Judge Kate O'Regan, who is amongst others honoured for her fine and progressive mind, gained prominence when she was appointed as a judge of the then newly established Constitutional Court at the age of 37. In addition, she was one of only two female judges for the first 13 years of the court's existence. Here, she made an enormous contribution to justice for South Africans in general, and for women and other vulnerable groups in particular.  

As academic, poet and playwright, Prof Adam Small feelingly yet fearlessly addressed the burning issues of a segregated South Africa, proving himself both a thinking revolutionary and revolutionary thinker. Through his work, Prof Small has shifted the boundaries of South African literature, enhanced the Afrikaans language, sensitively though strongly spoke out about issues others hesitated to address, and became a voice for the voiceless.

Prof Sampie Terreblanche enjoys legendary status at Stellenbosch University. With the very same flaming passion with which he has influenced local and international thought on the social-economic system, he unlocked his discipline for his students. He has made outstanding contributions as profound observer and analyst of Western socio-economic systems, as inspiring lecturer and as a leading author. Not only do many prominent economists ascribe their success to this innovative thinker, but many alumni in careers outside economics owe their critical thinking skills to him.

Dr Japie van Zyl has established himself as one of the world's leading space scientists. Through his internationally acclaimed contributions to space research and programmes, this son of Africa has improved man's knowledge of outer space, and has inspired many young scientists on his home continent in the process. He is an excellent ambassador for Africa in what is probably the most advanced technological environment globally. As leader and driving force behind many successful space projects, this humble scientist is living proof of what the world can still expect from Africa and Stellenbosch University as African institution. 

Judge Edwin Cameron receives the Degree Doctor in Doctor of Laws, (LLD), honoris causa; Prof Daniel Kahneman the Degree Doctor of Philosophy, (DPhil), honoris causa; Mr Pali Lehohla the Degree Doctor of Commerce, (DCom), honoris causa, Judge Kate O'Regan the Degree Doctor of Laws, (LLD), honoris causa; Prof Adam Small the Degree Doctor of Arts, (DLitt), honoris causa; Prof Sampie Terreblanche the Degree Doctor of Commerce, (DCom), honoris causa; and Dr Japie van Zyl the Degree Doctor of Engineering, (DIng), honoris causa.

Apart from Prof Kahneman who will receive the degree in March 2016, all the recipients will receive their degrees at the December 2015 Graduation Ceremony.