(AGENPARL) – lun 08 maggio 2023 [PRESS RELEASE]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6 May 2023
CUT Confers Honorary Doctorate to Daphne Mashile-Nkosi
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) has conferred an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (Entrepreneurship) to dynamic businesswoman, Daphne Mashile-Nkosi. CUT hosted their first day of the Autumn Graduations, kicking off the celebrations at the Welkom campus. This graduation season will see 3756 undergraduates, including 62 master’s and 21 doctoral recipients.
Honorary Doctorate recipient and the sitting Executive Chairperson of Kalagadi Manganese (Pty) Ltd, Mashile-Nkosi has founded several companies in South Africa, of which she is a shareholder and board member. While delivering her speech, she said that she shared this honour with all of the teams she has served with, partners, supporters and family who have supported and encouraged her through the years.
“As I accept this honorary doctorate, I understand that with great recognition comes great responsibility. I pledge to continue to use the knowledge, experience, and skills I have acquired on my journey to further support young entrepreneurs, small business owners and develop opportunities for those who like me have faced great odds. I am grateful for this nomination and honorary doctorate conferral for it says that what little we think we have achieved can be recognised by an esteemed institution of learning such as yourselves. For me today, it says I have done something right,” she said.
A social activist, she continues to advocate for female empowerment and self-reliance in South Africa. To date, she has ensured that at least 70% of the shareholders of Kalagadi Manganese are women and continues to make a difference in the lives of women and their families.
“Coming from a poor upbringing, no one could have imagined I would one day become the first and only black woman to own a mine in South Africa nor imagined the life I would live, making a contribution in many of the boardrooms in South Africa and the world. From the obstacles I had to face and the walls I had to scale, it was unthinkable – even though, already at a young age, I had set my heart for lofty dreams. I knew that one day I wanted a big house, it was my barometer for achieving great things. Growing up I was full of confidence. It didn’t matter what you said about me, it wasn’t going to change my mind on the dreams I had for myself. Surrounded by the poverty of my community and our own small means, I was dead set on being successful,” said Mashile-Nkosi.
Congratulating the graduates on their achievement, Prof Alfred Ngowi, CUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Innovation and Engagement said: “Graduation is one of the most critical events in a person’s life. Despite many setbacks, it is the pinnacle of a student’s academic pursuits and the outcome of three years of hard work, sometimes four or five years of toiling. Many have come to appreciate students’ struggles to reach the finish line, and we take off our hats to you. I also acknowledge the contribution of our academic staff. For your consistent efforts and unwavering dedication to delivering a high standard of education, you, too, deserve to be congratulated and celebrated.”
The Autumn Graduation ceremonies are taking place until 11 May 2023.
Caption: Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences (Entrepreneurship) recipient, Dr Daphne Mashile-Nkosi.
About CUT
CUT is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. CUT boasts pockets of excellence, including a premier Hotel School and leading research and innovation platforms, e.g. world-class medical product development through 3-D printing technology.
For more information about CUT, visit http://www.cut.ac.za.
END…/
For media related information contact
Kind regards,
https://www.cut.ac.za/
Ms Seithati Semenokane
Journalist / Media Relations SpecialistCommunications & Marketing
Resources & Operations
https://www.cut.ac.za/
https://www.linkedin.com/school/central-university-of-technology-free-state/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
http://www.youtube.com/user/CUTFreeState/feed