Johannesburg – Trinity International Bible University, which has been dishing out honorary doctorates to celebrities including internationally acclaimed actor Sello Maake KaNcube, is not registered to do so.
Higher Education Minister Professor Blade Nzimande on Sunday said he “has become aware of reports and related images on social media of honorary doctorates that have been awarded to some of our country’s top celebrities by the Trinity International Bible University”.
On Saturday, Actor Sello Maake KaNcube announced on social media that he had been honoured with a Doctorate in Philosophy from Trinity International Bible University.
However, Minister Nzimande said: “According to our records as the Department of Higher Education and Training, Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution”.
He said Trinity International Bible University was not authorised to offer any qualifications, including honorary degrees.
“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,” said Minister Nzimande.
“We have also asked the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for guidance on how honorary qualifications should be offered and by whom.
“‘As the Department, we have nothing against Trinity International Bible University or the celebrities they have chosen to honour.
“We are however deeply disturbed by the persistent disregard for the Department’s regulations by the management of Trinity International Bible University.”
The Department said it was considering more comprehensive and decisive action against Trinity International Bible University and all other individuals or institutions, who continue to undermine the Department’s regulations.
The Department of Higher Education and Training, said it was willing to engage with Trinity International Bible University and the celebrities they have honored, “to better explain our position”.
The department added: “Most importantly, as the Department of Higher Education and Training, we have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of our qualifications and that of our post-school education and training system”.
