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The distinguished Professor Mȋcere Mȗgo was awarded a Unisa honorary doctorate
Professor Mȋcere Mȗgo, the distinguished Pan-African academic, playwright, author, activist and poet is the latest amongst the eminent persons awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of South Africa (Unisa).
Professor Mugo was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Languages, Linguistics and Literature (Honoris Causa, Posthumous) at a graduation ceremony held at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria on Friday, 10 May 2024.
At its sitting of 29 June 2023, the Council of Unisa resolved to confer the honorary degree on Professor Mȗgo, in recognition of her exploits - through literature, teaching and political activism - which contributed immensely to the emancipation and advancement of African people on the continent and the African diaspora.
Amongst many of her contributions to the cause of liberation on the African continent, Professor Mȗgo was known for her deep involvement with militant movements fighting for the independence of Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa. She was also active in the Free Angela Davis and Assata Shakur Campaigns, which had spread to several cities in the world by the early to late 1970s.
Professor Mȗgo was also an accomplished academic and scholar. In 1973, upon her return to Kenya after pursuing higher education studies in Canada, she became the first person (man or woman) to hold a PhD in literature in all of East Africa. This was followed in 1978 by her election as the first female Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi.
She is responsible for over 200 publications in the form of book chapters, journals and interviews, was a member of at least 60 professional organisations and served on at least 150 international executive boards, directorships and councils, many of which she chaired or presided over.
Amongst the publications she is renowned for are the powerful monograph, African Orature and Human Rights and the seminal play, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, which she co-wrote with her Kenyan counterpart, the internationally renowned novelist and playwright, Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o.
The graduation ceremony took place on Monday 10 May 2024 during the 18:00 graduation ceremony on the Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria. To view the ceremony on youTube, click here https://t.co/kQh6wpkeZL
Publish date: 2024/05/10