DIKENI- The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa on Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga in recognition of his contribution to constitutional democracy.
The institution awarded him an honorary Doctor of Law at the Spring 2026 graduation in Dikeni, where 395 graduates crossed the stage.
The recognition of Justice Madlanga was an opportunity to reflect on the role of universities in shaping society, according to the statement released by UFH on 02 October 2026.
UFH highlighted that Justice Madlanga challenged universities to move beyond opening doors and interrogate what students are enabled to do once inside.
Justice Madlanga said universities cannot merely be repositories of knowledge but must be institutions of foresight, imagination and societal problem-solving, adding that their influence is measured by what graduates contribute beyond their walls.
“A university’s influence is thus measured not only by what happens within its walls but also by what its graduates go on to imagine, create and contribute beyond the university itself,” he said.
The institution said Justice Madlanga reflected on his stint as a visiting professor at Fort Hare during his long leave from the Constitutional Court, noting that he arrived to teach but left having learned from students who questioned the origin of legal principles.
The statement further indicated that he pointed to law students Babalwa Mofokeng and Christian Buthelezi, who excelled at the Constitutional Court Moot in 2025 before representing Africa at Oxford as evidence of untapped potential.
He noted that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.
“Talent has never been confined to particular institutions, provinces or communities. What has too often been unevenly distributed is opportunity,” he said.
He emphasised that admission alone is not fulfilment noting that true access requires libraries, residences, laboratories and financial support.
Furthmore, Council Chairperson at UFH Dr Siyanda Makaula said the honour recognised more than Justice Madlanga’s individual achievements.
“Through your jurisprudence, you have defended human dignity, constitutional rights and institutional independence. Through your leadership and your continuing public service, you have demonstrated that the pursuit of justice does not end with judicial office.”He said.
Madlanga’s journey from the rural Eastern Cape to the Constitutional Court represented extraordinary intellectual achievement but that it was what he had done with the authority entrusted to him that distinguished his contribution.
In addition Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Associate Professor Matshepo Matoane said Justice Madlanga’s life demonstrated the relationship between knowledge, conscience and service.
“History remembers those who exercise power. But humanity remembers those who exercise conscience,” Prof Matoane said.
Describing him as the embodiment of UFH’s values.
Courtesy of IMAGE: Supplied/UFH
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