On Sunday, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande declared the honorary PhD awarded to renowned actor Sello Maake kaNcube by Trinity International Bible University as illegitimate.
Blade Nzimande blasts Sello Maake kaNcube’s honorary PhD as fake
In a fiery statement, Nzimande did not hold back on his criticism of the honorary degree awarded to the veteran actor, known as ‘Archie Moroka’ on Generations.
According to Nzimande, Trinity International Bible University, the awarding institution, is not recognised by South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
“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 minister revealed.
The Department has previously contacted Trinity International to regularise its operations but to no avail, prompting considerations for more stringent actions against such unregulated activities.
“We have also asked the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for guidance on how honorary qualifications should be offered and by who. As the Department, we have nothing against Trinity International Bible University or the celebrities they have chosen to honour,” Nzimande said.
Reacting to the PR nightmare, Sello highlighted the silver lining, shrugging off the ‘blunder’ as an intangible addition to his wisdom depository.
Is Trinity International Bible University regulated in South Africa?
Trinity International Bible University claims on its Facebook page to be accredited by the Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries (AICCS), a US-based accrediting agency.
However, this agency does not hold recognition from the US Department of Education, and it advises that credits from its accredited institutions might not transfer to other educational establishments not affiliated with AICCS.
Despite its claims of overseeing 41 institutions in South Africa, the DHET insists that Trinity operates illegally within the country.
Is Sello Maake kaNcube’s honorary PhD real or fake?
In South Africa, the legitimacy of honorary degrees hinges on the accreditation status of the issuing institution.
An honorary degree, while not an academic qualification, holds symbolic value and is intended to honour distinguished contributions to society or specific fields.
Given that Trinity International Bible University is not registered with the DHET nor recognised by any credible educational authority in South Africa, the honorary PhD awarded to Sello Maake kaNcube does not meet the legal requirements set by South African educational regulations.
Therefore, under current laws, the degree cannot be considered valid.
