University of Pretoria honours literary scholar Xaba

AWARD-winning poet, short story writer, essayist and editor Makhosazana Xaba says the recognition by the University of Pretoria (UP) of her contribution to literature, feminist thought and cultural activism in South Africa, affirms the power of words to build more inclusive and compassionate societies.

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The University conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Associate Professor Xaba 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. Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UP, Professor Kevin Thomas, 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, to name a few.”

“She has served as a judge for numerous poetry competitions — most recently the 2021 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. Her poetry has been translated into six languages. She has featured in numerous anthologies and has been a writing fellow at institutions for health and social and economic research,” Thomas said.