The recent honorary doctorate awarded to Dr Sello Maake kaNcube brought a lot of attention to many honourees by Trinity International Bible University, after the Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande’s office detailed that the university was not registered.
This was shared by the department’s spokesperson Veli Mbele who spoke to SowetanLIVE noting:
“According to our records as the department of higher education and training, Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution. Trinity International Bible University is therefore not authorised to offer any qualifications, including honorary degrees. We also wish to state that as the department, we have written to Trinity International University before and warned them about continuing to operate illegally and for them to regularise their operations.”
The university has conferred honorary degrees to many other celebrities who might be sitting with unregistered doctorate degrees, below are four of those mzansi celebrities:
- Sello Maake kaNcube
The former Generations actor might have celebrated too soon since his doctorate might be fake.
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2. Elizabeth Serunye
The Skeem Sam actor also recently received her doctorate from the same unregistered institution, taking time to share her achievement with her social media followers in a post captioned:
“Graduation day. Honor me as Dr Sikasu Serunye.”
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3. Winnie Mashaba
The multi-award-winning singer was among the first recipients of the honorary degree from the questionable university, receiving hers in 2019, an honour she humbly welcomed. Expressing her gratitude, the Rea Mo Leboga hitmaker shared the news on her social media platforms, captioning her post:
“I truly never thought that being disciplined and humbled to the talent would one day give me an Honorary Doctorate and also make me dine with Kings and highly respected leaders.
Also take me and my children in music to the places we always dreamed of ministering at. I bow unto the Lord. Ruri kea reta go Balegodimo. ”
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4. Shauwn Mkhize
Businesswoman and soccer team boss Shauwn received her doctorate from the Good Shepherd College of Religion, Culture and Training in 2021. This raised sparked a lot of debate on social media platforms with many internet users stating that the honorary degree was not recognised as the college isn’t registered. This did not stop the grandmother of four from flaunting her status adding her Dr title to her name.
In an Instagram post, Shauwn shared a picture on her graduation day with her sister who holds an academic doctorate degree. She then wrote a note to her late parents that reads:
“Dear Mama and Papa. Here we are…your daughters are both doctors. I hope you and dad are watching over this moment and you are beyond proud. Thank you Lord for this day and thank you to oKhabazela ka Mavovo kayihlandla. It’s moments like this that I cherish from the bottom of my heart , being celebrated and acknowledged whilst I’m still alive.”
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Also see: Sello Maake kaNcube’s honorary doctorate degree not recognised by Minister Blade Nzimande
