Hard work usually breeds great results and this notion finally rings true for legendary TV broadcaster Noxolo Grooboom, who has bestowed an honorary doctorate at the Rhodes University.
Read More: Noxolo Grootboom returns to TV
Read More: Noxolo Grootboom returns to TV
The second virtual graduation ceremony took place today and she received a degree of Doctor of Letters (D Litt) (honoris causa). The veteran news reader is being recognised nationally for her significant promotion of national pride and culture through her journalistic career, which spanned 37 years.
Mam Noxolo has joined the likes of Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Rebecca Malope and Winnie Mashaba who were recently bestowed with honorary doctorates. Her graduation was attended by several celebrities including Anele Mdoda, Zizo Tshwete, Hulisani Ravele and they have taken to social media to congratulate her.
Mam’ Noxolo Grootboom is now Dr Noxolo Grootboom as today she was awarded an Honorary degree by Rhodes University (Doctor of Letters - D Litt - honoris causa) in recognition of her significant contribution to ‘our national pride and culture’.
— Hulisani Ravele (@HulisaniRavele) October 29, 2021
Congratulations Dr Mama! 🥺😭🙌🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/pxg5c9nE1X
[WATCH]
— Chriselda 'Babes We Ndaba' Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) October 29, 2021
Emotional scenes with her parents as veteran retired #SABCNEWS anchor #NoxoloGrootboom arrives at a surprise ceremony as she is being awarded an Honorary Degree by Rhodes University.#SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/OoYQXyNAUC
Expressing her gratitude she said she feels like she is living an example to the youth.
“I feel so speechless; I am out of words to thank Rhodes University for the honour bestowed on me. Each event of my life is a life lesson that cannot be merely explained. Even though I had minimal opportunities to further my studies, it seemed as if my dreams about my future were perishing. Today, Rhodes University teaches me that hope is always ignited when it seems as though your dreams are perishing.
And when that hope is ignited, it leads you to a new dream. Today, I feel like I am a living example to the youth. This is because, when you devote yourself to your work, new opportunities open up. I am very thankful to Rhodes University for this opportunity. Only a wicked person despises success. Lastly, my fellow people, I would have failed if I did not express my sincere gratitude to my home language. I am being honoured today because of isiXhosa,” said Grooboom."
With 37 years of public broadcast service, Mam’ Noxolo read her last bulletin on 30 March 2021. She left the SABC as an Editor of the isiXhosa news bulletin. On this day, she was recognised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delayed his national address (during a pandemic) since it clashed with Mrs Grootboom’s last bulletin. The public widely welcomed this gesture on social media platforms.
Some of the highlight in her career include presenting during the funeral procession of the former president Nelson Mandela 2013, reading the obituary of the late television presenter and actor Akhumzi Jezile, she was also requested to anchor during the funeral proceedings for former first lady Winnie Madikizela-Mandela back in 2018.
Congratulations Mam Noxolo.
Image Cred: Twitter