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During the April 2025 graduation ceremonies taking place on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses, the University of the Free State (UFS) will confer honorary degrees on three distinguished individuals – former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Ms Joyce Siwani, and Prof Toyin Falola; for their significant contribution to society in their respective fields. This prestigious acknowledgement is a testament to their outstanding contributions to society, academia, and the betterment of humanity.

The graduation ceremonies on the Qwaqwa Campus will take place from 4 to 5 April 2025, while the ceremonies on the Bloemfontein Campus will take place from 8 to 12 April 2025.

"We are honoured to recognise three such distinguished individuals such as former Chief Justice Zondo, Ms Siwani, and Prof Falola for their exceptional contributions to society and academia," says Prof Hester C. Klopper Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS. "Their exemplary leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment guides current and future generations to build a more equitable, inclusive, and just society,” says Prof Klopper.

Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo

The honorary degree LLD (h.c.) will be awarded to former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on the Bloemfontein Campus on 9 April 2025. The degree is awarded on the grounds of exceptional achievements and other achievements in accordance with the ideals and principles of the university.

Justice Zondo holds a B.Iuris (UniZul), an LLB (UKZN), and three LLM degrees (Labour Law, Commercial Law, and Patent Law) from the University of South Africa (UNISA). He has also been conferred honorary LLD degrees by Rhodes University (March 2023) and UNISA (September 2023). He served part of his articles of clerkship under Victoria Mxenge before her assassination by apartheid agents. After completing his articles, he practised as an attorney for several years and was a member of the Ministerial Task Team that drafted the Labour Relations Bill, which was later enacted as the Labour Relations Act of 1995. In 1999, he was appointed as a Judge of the High Court in Pretoria. He went on to serve as Judge-President of the Labour Appeal Court (2000-2010) and later returned to the High Court in Pretoria (2010-2012). In September 2012, he was appointed as a Justice of the Constitutional Court, followed by his appointment as Deputy Chief Justice in 2017. He served as Chairperson of the State Capture Commission in 2018 and was appointed Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa in April 2022. He retired in August 2024. Justice Zondo has received numerous accolades, including the Sydney and Felicia Kentridge Award for service to law in Southern Africa.

Ms Joyce Siwani

An honorary degree in Social Work (h.c.) will be awarded to Ms Joyce Siwani on the Bloemfontein Campus on 9 April 2025. The degree is awarded on the grounds related to exceptional achievements and public service reflecting the principles and ideals espoused by the UFS.

Siwani holds a BA in Social Science, majoring in Social Work and Psychology from UNISA, a Higher Diploma in Communication Studies from WITS, and additional qualifications in Adult Basic Education and project evaluation. As Principal Report Writer for the National Children’s Rights Committee, she played a crucial role in drafting reports that informed policies on orphaned and vulnerable children. She further contributed to community development as a Community Liaison Officer for the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), where she mobilised communities for sanitation initiatives. Her expertise extended to housing and education, serving as a Project Consultant for Creative Associates and a Programme Designer at WITS. She worked as a Communication Officer for the South African Council of Churches and served as Executive Secretary of the South African Black Social Workers’ Association. She has also consulted on cross-cultural communication, affirmative action, and leadership development, evaluating numerous projects, including those under the Kellogg Foundation Southern Africa Leadership Programme. Her dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including the Mayor of Detroit’s Award for Courage, the Ellen Kuzwayo Medal from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and fellowships from Penn State University and WITS University. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations to advocate for justice, equality, and community development. 

Prof Toyin Falola

The honorary degree LLD (h.c.) will be awarded to Prof Toyin Falola on the Bloemfontein Campus on 11 April 2025. The degree is awarded on the grounds of exceptional achievements in law.

Prof Falola is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, Professor of History, and University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He has served in esteemed positions, including the Kluge Chair of the Countries and Cultures of the South at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Renowned for his prolific output, he has authored and edited more than 150 books, making significant contributions to African history, politics, and epistemology. His achievements have been recognised globally, earning him over 20 honorary doctorates, most recently from the University of Calgary. He is a Fellow of both the Nigerian Academy of Letters and the Historical Society of Nigeria. Among his many accolades, he has received The Distinguished Africanist Award from the African Studies Association (USA) and the Lifetime Career Award from the Canadian African Studies Association. Additionally, he holds several traditional Yoruba chieftaincy titles, including the Bobapitan of Ibadanland and the Bobapitan of Ondo Kingdom, in recognition of his contributions to African heritage.

Prof Falola’s scholarship has inspired numerous academic studies. His students and colleagues have honoured his work through five Festschriften, and several books have been written on his contributions. His contributions continue to shape African and global academia, fostering new generations of scholars and thinkers.

A total of 7 776 undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications will be awarded on the two campuses during the April 2025 graduation ceremonies. For further information and updates on the UFS April 2025 graduation ceremonies, visit https://www.ufs.ac.za/kovsielife/graduation