[ Home ] [ Speeches & Statements ]

24 Apr 2012

Professor Mahmood Mamdani was awarded a honorary degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal by Chancellor and Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize at the Olympia hall in Pietermaritzburg. The is the 20^th and final session of Graduations at UKZN for the year.

Professor Mahmood Mamdani is a world renowned scholar in politics, history and culture as well as an accomplished author and politica l commentator. His intellectual work and scholarship focuses on the African continent and he has greatly influenced thinking and writing about Africa, generating knowledge and understanding in the study of African and international politics, colonialism and post-colonialism, and the politics of knowledge production.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being listed as one of the "Top 20 Public Intellectuals" by Foreign Policy (United States) and Prospect (United Kingdom) magazine in 2008. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1974 and specialises in the study of African history and politics. His works explore the intersection between politics and culture, a comparative study of colonialism since 1452, the history of civil war and genocide in Africa, the Cold War and the War on Terror, and the history and theory of human rights.

Mamdani's most distinguished contribution is in reclaiming Africa's contribution to the global knowledge project and in knowledge generation in and of Africa. His accomplishments are evidenced in his considerable scholarly works and his enormous commitment and dedication to this task. 

For more information, contact:
Ms Sithembile Shabangu
Cell: 0798035779
E-mail: shabangus@ukzn.ac.za

Regi Khumalo
Media Liaison Desk for Dr Zweli Mkhize
Cell: 079 751 6108
E-mail: regi.khumalo@yahoo.com

Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier
24 Apr 2012

[ Top ]