Pretoria – Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is honouring former Bafana Bafana football star and Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo with an honorary doctorate.
The midfield maestro has been honoured alongside mining entrepreneur Daphne Mashile-Nkosi and seasoned business executive Paul Mpho Makwana.
TUT said these distinguished South Africans will receive honorary doctorates this autumn in recognition of their outstanding contributions to sport, mining, business leadership, and national development.
Their achievements embody TUT’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and addressing societal challenges through knowledge creation.
Honorary doctorates are among the highest recognitions in academia, awarded to individuals whose work has made a profound impact beyond the classroom.
These honorees serve as powerful role models whose careers align with TUT’s vision of a people-centred university that drives progress through cutting-edge teaching, learning, and research.
Doctor Khumalo: Master of the Midfield
Theophilus “Doctor” Khumalo will receive the Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Kinesiology and Coaching Science) honoris causa from the Faculty of Sciences on 30 April 2026.
Born in Soweto on 26 June 1967, Khumalo is the son of Kaizer Chiefs legend Eliakim “Pro” Khumalo. Football was in his blood.
He rose to prominence at Daliwonga High School in Dube, Soweto, where fans nicknamed him “Vula-Vala” and later “16V” for his dazzling skills, trickery, and tactical intelligence – qualities that earned him the enduring moniker “Doctor”.
Khumalo became a midfield maestro for Kaizer Chiefs and a cornerstone of the South African national team during the country’s re-entry into international football after isolation.
In 1995, he joined Argentinian club Ferro Carril Oeste for a six-month loan spell.
In 1996 and 1997, he played for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer in the United States.
Khumalo played a pivotal role in Bafana Bafana’s historic 1996 Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil, helping to reintroduce South African football to the global stage with flair, leadership, and humility.
His artistry on the pitch continues to inspire generations of young players.
Daphne Mashile-Nkosi conferred with the Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
Daphne Mashile-Nkosi: Trailblazer in Mining and Empowerment
Daphne Mashile-Nkosi will be conferred with the Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment on 28 April 2026.
Born in Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, and raised in Soweto, Mashile-Nkosi attended Sekane-Ntoane Secondary School in Senaoane, where she participated in the June 1976 student uprisings.
holds a Master’s degree in International Business and Law from the University of Salford (UK) and a Small Business Management Diploma from Wits Business School.
In 1999, she founded Eyesizwe Coal, which listed on the Johannesburg and London Stock Exchanges within seven years.
The company later merged with Kumba Coal to create Exxaro, South Africa’s largest coal producer at the time.
In 2007, she established the black women-led Kalagadi Manganese, where she serves as Executive Chairperson.
The company operates the world’s largest manganese sintering plant. With South Africa producing 37% of global manganese, Mashile-Nkosi continues to drive innovation and expansion in the sector.
Her leadership has earned her numerous national and international awards, cementing her status as one of South Africa’s most accomplished businesswomen in mining.
Mpho Makwana: Strategic Business Leader and Corporate Statesman
Paul Mpho Makwana will receive the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) from the Tshwane School of Business and Society (TSB) on 8 May 2026.
Paul Mpho Makwena to receive the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) from the Tshwane School of Business and Society (TSB) on 8 May 2026.
A respected business leader and founder of Epitome Investments (Pty) Ltd, Makwana has chaired or led nine companies across diverse sectors.
He currently serves as Independent Chairman of Nedbank Group Ltd and holds chair and board positions at ArcelorMittal South Africa, Safcol SOC Limited, the Limpopo Economic Development Agency, and others.
He previously chaired Eskom Holdings during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, successfully ensuring power stability for the global event.
Makwana’s expertise spans human resources, marketing, business strategy, and strategic planning.
He holds a BAdmin (Hons) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management.
Beyond corporate governance, he contributes to society as a trustee of initiatives such as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and The New LoveLife Trust, and as a member of the Institute of Directors.
TUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Tinyiko Maluleke emphasised that these honorary doctorates celebrate individuals whose lives and work reflect the university’s values of excellence, social impact, and transformation.
The conferrals form part of TUT’s 2026 autumn graduation season, a period dedicated to recognising both academic achievers and societal trailblazers who continue to shape South Africa’s future.
*This articlewas first published in www.tut.ac.za/newsroom
