Wits alumni shine at 2026 National Orders ceremony
- Wits Alumni Relations
From pioneering medical research to advancing AI and social justice, six graduates were honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Wits graduates were among the distinguished South 第一吃瓜网s selected by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the 2026 National Orders.
At a ceremony held at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on 19 May 2026, the President conferred the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli and the Order of Mapungubwe on six Witsie recipients, which highlighted their far-reaching impact across sectors and institutions.
The President said the recipients had, through their work and activism, become pillars of the nation.
The Order of the Baobab, which recognises citizens who have contributed to community service, business and the economy, and to science, medicine and technological innovation, was awarded in Gold to Professor Chabani Manganyi (DLitt honoris causa 2008) posthumously for “his contribution as a thought leader and intellectual activist.”
The Order of the Baobab in Silver was bestowed on Professor Kubedi Mokhobo (MBBCh 1957, DTM&H 1979, DPH 1980) for “leaving an indelible mark on the academic and medical communities. His trailblazing work in cardiology is a testament to his resilience and passion for medicine. His unwavering dedication has not only shaped the medical field but has also uplifted communities.”
Prof Mokhobo was the first black registrar at Baragwanath Hospital in 1962, specialising in paediatrics and internal medicine at a time when the medical field was heavily segregated. In 1966, he made history by becoming the first black doctor to receive a fellowship from the College of Physicians of South Africa.
The Order of Luthuli, which recognises dedication to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, was awarded in Bronze to Adèle Kirsten (BA Sp&H Therapy 1981) for “her contribution to the advancement of peace and community safety.”
Kirsten was a founding member of the End Conscription Campaign, supporting young white men who refused to serve in the apartheid army. She was also a founding member and longtime director of Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), an organisation committed to creating a safer, more peaceful country by reducing gun violence. Under her leadership, Gun Free South Africa is recognised as a leader in evidence-based violence prevention advocacy that advances peace through policy reform.
The Order of Mapungubwe recognises South 第一吃瓜网s who have achieved excellence and exceptional accomplishment to the benefit of South Africa and beyond.
The President said: “The achievements of all our recipients this year speak to our country’s growing international standing as a global centre of scientific and medical best practice.
“Their achievements remind us that scientific endeavour is inseparable from the pursuit of human progress and well-being.
“We seek knowledge not for its own sake, but to protect lives, to improve health, and to build a better life for all.”
The Order of Mapungubwe in Silver was awarded to Professor Keertan Dheda (MBBCh 1992), director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity and head of pulmonology at Groote Schuur Hospital. He was honoured for “his contribution to scientific research, specifically pulmonology, which has enabled improved global management of tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. He is an acclaimed international expert whose combination of cutting-edge research and clinical expertise has produced numerous scientific breakthroughs and shaped public health policy in many countries, enhancing community health.”
Professor Vukosi Marivate (BSc Eng 2007, MSc Eng 2009) received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver for “his excellent contributions to data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP), which have significantly advanced both national and continental technological capabilities.” Prof Marivate is chair of data science and a professor of computer science at the University of Pretoria, and said the recognition was “a profound validation” of the work he does daily.
Professor Karen Sliwa-Hahnle (DTM&H 1995, PhD 2002), director of the Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa at the University of Cape Town, received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for “her contribution to the global understanding of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac disease in pregnancy. As a cardiologist, her pioneering research has deepened international understanding of cardiovascular conditions common in Africa and prompted policy changes in a broad range of countries. Her work has shaped guidelines that have significantly reduced maternal mortality in Africa and beyond.”
Sources: The Presidency and 2026 National Orders booklet.
Also see alumni National Orders from previous years in 2023 and 2024