By Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – The Higher Education Department says the Trinity International Bible University – which recently awarded an honorary doctorate to actor Sello Maake kaNcube – is not a registered institution.
The department said it became aware of this after Maake kaNcube posted pictures on his social media, celebrating his qualification from the university.
The bible school also awarded qualifications to prominent figures including gospel singer Winnie Mashaba and businesswoman Shawn Mkhize.
Dr Blade Nzimande on Sunday said he had become aware of honorary doctorates awarded to some of the country’s top celebrities by Trinity.
“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.
He said the department was “deeply disturbed by the persistent disregard for the department’s regulations by the management of Trinity International Bible University”.
“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.
But the department said it previously wrote to the institution, ordering it to stop what it has termed its illegal operations.
Spokesperson Veli Mbele said, “As the department, we have nothing against Trinity International Bible University or the celebrities they have chosen to honour. We are however deeply disturbed by the persistent disregard for the department’s regulations by the management of the university.
“Most importantly, as the department of higher education and training, we have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of our qualifications and that of our post school education and training system,” Mbele said.
