Rhodes University will tomorrow, October 29, confer an honorary doctorate on retired SABC IsiXhosa television news anchor, Noxolo Grootboom.
The Makhanda-based university said it would honour Grootboom with a Doctor of Letters (D Litt) (honoris causa) for her significant promotion of national pride and culture through her journalistic career, which spanned 37 years.
“Our nation owes her a debt of gratitude and appreciation for all that she has done to give much-needed hope to many South Africans in times of national loss and despair and for being a passionate advocate of the IsiXhosa language in our society,” said Rhodes University vice-chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela.
Grootboom joined the SABC in December 1983 as a typist and later as production assistant.
She got her big break in 1990, when she was asked to stand-in for a colleague and anchor an IsiXhosa television news bulletin, which left her bosses so impressed that they asked her to continue to anchor the news bulletins.
In her 37-year long career with the SABC, Grootboom got to anchor funerals of high-profile politicians such as Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Oliver Reginald Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Albertina Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete and young personalities, like Akhumzi Jezile.
It is reported that over 3.8 million viewers tuned in to watch her last IsiXhosa bulletin on SABC 1, on March 30, this year.
She said she was at a loss of words following the announcement of the honorary doctorate.
“Each event of my life is a life lesson that cannot be merely explained.
“Even though I had minimal opportunities to further my studies, it seemed as if my dreams about my future were perishing.
“Today, Rhodes University is teaching me that hope is always ignited when it seems as though your dreams are perishing and when that hope is ignited, it leads to a new dream,” Grootboom was quoted as saying in a statement released by the university.
Grootboom will receive her honorary doctorate when Rhodes University will be hosting its second virtual graduation ceremony for Masters and PhD students on Friday, October 29.
Rhodes University has congratulated Grootboom on what it termed “richly deserved recognition and notable achievement”.
