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13/01/2023

The University is saddened to hear of the passing of one of its former Chancellors, Dr Frene Ginwala. 

Dr Ginwala passed away last night (Thursday, 12 January 2023) at the age of 90 after having suffered a stroke two weeks ago. 

She was the first and only Chancellor of the former Port Elizabeth Technikon, appointed in 1997, and served two terms until the end of 2004. 

The esteemed Member of the Order of Luthuli was the founding Speaker of South Africa’s democratic Parliament from 1994 to 2004 and was influential in the writing of our Constitution and an important figure in establishing democracy in this country. 

In 2003, the institution awarded her an honorary doctorate for her service of excellence in the interest of the community in the fields of statesmanship, culture, society, politics, education, economics, arts and other walks of life.

Condolences to her family and friends, may she rest in peace.

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