South African entertainers Winnie Mashaba, Elizabeth Serunye and Sello Maake kaNcube have been honored by an alleged bogus institution, Trinity International Bible University.
Minister of higher education Blade Nzimande says Trinity International Bible University which conferred an honorary doctorate to actor Sello Maake kaNcube is not registered and therefore has no authority to offer any qualifications.
On Saturday, Maake kaNcube expressed excitement and celebrated the honorary doctrate.
“Look at God! It’s now Dr Sello Maake kaNcube Someone please tell my co-pilot Pearl Mbewe Maake KaNcube @Solopearl [wife] that she is no longer travelling this life journey with a national treasure only but with an honourable DR!” He wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the actress and singer also got honored by the university years ago.
The minister of higher education frowned against the unregistered university.
“According to our records as the department of higher education and training, Trinity International Bible University is not a registered private higher education institution. Trinity International Bible University is therefore not authorised to offer any qualifications, including honorary degrees.
“We also wish to state that, as the Department, we have written to Trinity International University before and warned them about continuing to operate illegally and for them to regularise their operations. We have also asked the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for guidance on how honorary qualifications should be offered and by who. As the Department, we have nothing against Trinity International Bible University or the celebrities they have chosen to honour,” said the department’s spokesperson Veli Mbele.
“The department is considering more comprehensive and decisive action against Trinity International Bible University and all other individuals or institutions, who continue to undermine the department’s regulations. As the department of higher education and training, we are willing to engage with Trinity International Bible University and the celebrities they have honored, to better explain our position.”
