University of South Africa (Unisa) Tuesday insisted that it did not confer honorary doctorates on social media influencer Pemphero Mphande and musician Patience Namadingo.
The university issued a media statement in which it “categorically” denied awarding doctorates to the Malawians.
This followed an enquiry by a concerned Malawian who wanted to find out if Unisa had, indeed, awarded the degrees to the individuals for their “immense contributions” to improving the welfare of others.
The University’s senior media officer Edgar Rathelele said in an email response to our query that their “graduation events are strict and formal”.
But Namadingo, who posted a video of his 2020 graduation where he claims there were 35 graduates, insists that he was invited and that he made proper enquiries before attending the graduation.
“I did not organise all those people who were graduating. I was called properly by the university,” he said.
But Rathelele insisted the officials on Namadingo’s videos and pictures were not from Unisa.
“We have every reason to suspect that he was part of the fake graduation where Mr Sam Mhangwani was scammed,” he said.
In November 2021, Unisa denied conferring an honorary doctorate on Mhangwani, a veteran music producer and theatre doyen in South Africa.
Mphande, who was still in South Africa Tuesday, said in a statement that he was recognised at a well-patronised ceremony alongside individuals from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria.
“If Unisa is denying this today, either they are a part of the scam or they, too, are being scammed. I personally would be happy to work with Unisa to get to the bottom of this.
“Our team will investigate and would love to meet with officials from Unisa to understand how this has happened under their nose for years,” Mphande said.
He says he and others are not scammers, criminals or otherwise.
“If anything, they are victims of a scam that Unisa can explain better. I believe in my work and its impact. It is valid and evident to all,” Mphande said.
