Rhodes University vice-chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, officially handed over a hood and a gown to Dr Latozi Madosini Mpahleni, in full view of her family and the community at Mkhankatho village in Libode, on Saturday, September 3.
The robing formed part of a Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition event, organised by the national Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The event recognises and acclaims the living legends in the creative and cultural sector. It is also intended to be a knowledge-sharing platform which offers guidance while motivating future generations.
Mabizela and music and musicology head of department, Dr Boudina McConnachie, officially robed and hooded Dr Madosini.
“In 2020, we honoured Gogo Madosini with the university’s highest honour, the degree of Doctor of Music (honoris causa). Due to COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions at the time, we could not celebrate this honour in the conventional way we always do,” said Professor Mabizela
“She is a worthy recipient, a formidable woman, a woman of substance, a woman of great dignity and humility and a doyenne of our cultural heritage. Today, we are delighted to have the opportunity to formally robe and hood Gogo Madosini and celebrate her with her family and the community.
“It is no exaggeration that she has single-handedly kept alive the South African heritage of Xhosa music through her performances and instruments,” Mabizela added.
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, applauded Rhodes University for having honoured Madosini.
“I have been wondering, with so many universities in our country, why they do not see the need to honour Gogo Madosini while she is still alive. I am happy that Rhodes University saw it fitting to celebrate and honour her,” Mthethwa said.
Dr Madosini is recognised worldwide for her sustained and exceptional contribution to the Xhosa culture through the preservation and popularising of isiXhosa music bows: uhadi, umrhubhe and isitolotolo.
“For her many years of distinguished and selfless service to our nation and its culture, it was proper and fitting that Rhodes University should honour Gogo Madosini by bestowing on her its highest honour. Our nation owes her an unpayable debt of gratitude for all that she has done to preserve, share and propagate our rich Xhosa cultural heritage of music.
“On behalf of our Chancellor, Justice Lex Mpati, our council, board of governors and the entire Rhodes University community, I offer our heartiest congratulations to Gogo Madosini on this well-deserved recognition,” added Mabizela.
Madosini played her instruments, accompanied by Rhodes University ethnomusicology PhD student, Thandeka Mfinyongo.
Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Nonceba Khontsiwe, was also in attendance, together with traditional leaders.
“The way I am so happy, I could start crying. I am shaking right now because of the joy in my heart. Who am I? I’m an uneducated old woman who has never gone to school. Even if I could die, my heart is at peace after being honoured by Rhodes University in this way,” said Madosini.
“Gogo Madosini is a great inspiration for our nation. As Rhodes University, we are happy that we have honoured her while she is still alive. We are greatly proud of her. May God keep sustaining her so that the nation can keep benefiting from her unparalleled knowledge. May darkness be dispelled and light shine,” concluded Mabizela.
