Recently, pictures of Sello Maake KaNcube and Elizabeth Serunye circulated on social media, where they were conferred with honorary doctorates by Trinity International Bible University. However, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Blade Nzimande, has unequivocally stated that these honorary doctorates are not recognized by the department.
In a stern response, Minister Nzimande clarified that Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution according to their records. Consequently, any qualifications, including honorary degrees, awarded by this institution hold no official standing.
The department has taken action by writing to Trinity International University, warning them about their illegal operation. Additionally, they have sought guidance from the Council on Higher Education (CHE) on how honorary qualifications should be legitimately offered.
Minister Nzimande emphasized that their concern lies not with the celebrities honored but with the university’s persistent disregard for regulations. As the Department of Higher Education and Training, they have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of qualifications and the post-school education system.
In summary, Trinity International Bible University’s honorary doctorates remain unrecognized, and the department is considering further steps to address this issue.