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During the December 2024 graduation ceremonies that will take place on the Bloemfontein Campus from 9 to 10 December 2024, the University of the Free State (UFS) will confer honorary degrees on two distinguished individuals – H.E. Benita Diop and Prof Murray Leibbrandt – for their significant contribution to society in their respective fields.

HE Bineta Diop: A Champion for Women, Peace, and Security

H.E. Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security, has dedicated her life to advocating for women’s leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. As a Senegalese women’s rights activist, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment across Africa.

Notably, she played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa. Her visionary leadership led to the creation of the Gender is My Agenda Campaign Network and the African Women Leaders Network, which has more than 35 chapters across the continent.

Diop’s unwavering commitment to justice has seen her participate in reconciliation processes in countries such as Burundi, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recognised globally, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2011.

H.E. Diop will be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Africa Studies (h.c.) during the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of The Humanities on 9 December 2024. By conferring the honorary degree, the UFS recognises H.E. Diop’s exceptional achievements of public service in accordance with the ideals and principles of the university.

Prof Murray Leibbrandt: Leading Researcher in Poverty and Inequality

Prof Murray Leibbrandt is the UCT Research Chair in Poverty and Inequality Research in the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He has served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Poverty and Inequality at UCT and was Director of SALDRU.

Currently, he directs the African Centre of Excellence for Inequality Research under the African Universities Alliance, is a Visiting Professor at Yale University, and a Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at UNU-WIDER. Prof Leibbrandt held the DSI/NRF National Research Chair for Poverty and Inequality Research and was on the Executive Committee of the International Economic Association. In addition, he was a member of President Mandela’s Presidential Labour Market Commission and Deputy President Ramaphosa’s Panel of Experts on the National Minimum Wage.

In 2021, he was part of the Expert Group advising on Basic Income Support, and also served on the Ministerial Task Team reviewing student funding for the Department of Higher Education and Training in 2021/22.

Prof Leibbrandt will be awarded the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Economic and Management Sciences (h.c.) during the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences on 9 December 2024. By conferring the degree, the university recognises Prof Leibbrandt’s scholarship and the distinguished contribution to knowledge he has made.

“The University of the Free State is honoured to recognise the outstanding contributions of HE Diop and Prof Leibbrandt in their respective fields. Their impactful work exemplifies our commitment to academic excellence and societal transformation. The recognition also serves to elevate their work, and it underscores the importance of rigorous academic enquiry into these critical social issues,” said Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS.