Poet Xaba receives honorary doctorate

THE University of Pretoria (UP) has conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Associate Professor Makhosazana Xaba, an award-winning poet, short story writer, essayist and editor, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to literature, feminist thought and cultural activism in South Africa.

- ZELDA VENTER

The honorary degree was conferred during the Faculty of Humanities graduation ceremony this month, as part of UP’s autumn graduation season, during which more than 12 000 students will graduate.

Xaba’s literary career spans poetry, fiction, biography, and editing, with her writing known for its profound exploration of gender, memory, healing and transformation.

Her poetry and short stories are widely celebrated for amplifying the voices and experiences of women in South Africa.

Professor Kevin Thomas, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UP, described Xaba as an exceptional literary scholar.

Her short story Running and other Stories has been analysed in literary and academic journals and theses and is taught at more than five South African universities, and universities abroad such as Rutgers, Hawaii University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.