The University of Johannesburg conferred on Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, the degree of Honorary Doctor of Letters at its Humanities convocation ceremony on May 9, 2023.

It was an emotionally moving celebration as academics and university students from Soweto and elsewhere thanked Sir Hilary for his lifelong work in the advancement of global justice and the bending of scholarship in the service of democracy. Professor Beckles was welcomed home to Africa as a son who continues to fight bravely for his people on both sides of the Atlantic.