The Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD), has proudly welcomed to its fold four Honorary and Adjunct Professors as part of its ever-expanding research and engagement activities - and making that list is South Africa’s powerhouse of talent, rock singer and songwriter, Karen Zoid.
The conferral by CANRAD acknowledges the recipients’ contributions to both scholarship and professional fields and looks “forward to fruitful collaborations with these new appointees, with a view to advancing Nelson Mandela University’s focus on revitalising the Humanities while being in service to society.”
The multi-award-winning Zoid is a singer, songwriter, music and television producer and talk show host who has released 14 albums and collaborated with artists such as Vusi Mahlasela, Dorothy Masuka, Thandiswa Mazwai, Zolani Mahola and Laurika Rauch. Her talk and music show on DSTV, Republiek van Zoid Afrika, is in its sixth season and has won several National Film and Video Foundation’s South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). She is also a judge on The Voice SA, it's an impressive list of achievements.
Her energetic stage performances, riveting guitar solos, vocal prowess and emotionally charged lyrics have also seen her command an impressive following by the youth in South Africa, hence they are often referred to as the “Zoid Generation” by the media. She has performed with the likes of Annie Lennox, John Mayer and Metallica and had more than 32 number one hit singles on iTunes.
Congratulations Karen Zoid – I have a feeling the best is yet to come for you.
The other honours were conferred upon Honorary Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Professor and Research Chair for Historical Trauma and Transformation, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Stellenbosch University. Honorary Professor Josephine Ahikire, Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and former Dean, School of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University, Uganda and Honorary Professor Mumbi Mwangi, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at St Cloud State University, USA.
