Dr Imtiaz Ismail Sooliman being awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) by UCT vice-chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela.
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In recognition of his ongoing humanitarian efforts, the University of Cape Town (UCT) bestowed an honorary doctorate on Dr Imtiaz Sooliman during its autumn graduation ceremonies currently being held.
Sooliman, the founder of the Gift of the Givers, the largest disaster-response organisation of African origin on the continent, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) for his extraordinary humanitarian effort on Monday.
An honorary doctorate is the highest recognition UCT confers, acknowledging individuals whose lives and work have made a sustained and meaningful contribution to society.
Speaking to the POST, he expressed heartfelt gratitude following the recognition.
“My special thanks to UCT, the vice-chancellor, the senior management, and those in the council who nominated me for an honorary doctorate. Everything about this was full of love, such as the manner in which I was received by the vice-chancellor, staff and other management. I felt so blessed.
“Furthermore, while the doctorate was awarded to me, it is an indication of what my teams do in this country, in the continent and throughout the world. It's an indication of what we as South Africans do collectively, because the Gift of the Givers is a South African organisation supported by South Africans, for South Africans, for the African continent, and for the world. It was an incredible day, never to be forgotten. I felt great to be a South African,” he said.
In a statement, Professor Mosa Moshabela, UCT’s vice-chancellor, said Sooliman and Cornelius George Werner, who will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Music (honoris causa) on Wednesday, have shaped lives, strengthened communities and advanced values that lie at the heart of our institution.
Werner is recognised for his contribution to South African jazz.
“These two distinguished South Africans, through very different fields, demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose and to serve society with integrity.
“By honouring Dr Sooliman and Mr Werner, we affirm that humanitarian leadership and cultural stewardship are central to building a just, creative and humane society. We also send a message to our students and graduates that excellence must be matched by service, and talent must be guided by values,” he said.
Moshabela said for more than three decades, Sooliman had dedicated his life to humanitarian service without discrimination.
After qualifying in medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Sooliman built a successful private practice. In 1994, he made the profound decision to leave that practice and commit himself fully to serving humanity. Under his leadership, Gift of the Givers has delivered more than R6 billion in aid and responded to major crises across 47 countries.
“The organisation pioneered the first containerised mobile hospital deployed in war-torn Bosnia, as well as the first containerised primary health-care unit. It has supported communities affected by droughts, fires and floods in South Africa; earthquakes in Haiti and Turkey; famine in Somalia; and conflict in Gaza and Syria. It has also provided critical assistance to 210 hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dr Sooliman’s work gives practical expression to the constitutional values of dignity, equality and freedom. He has shown that decisive, compassionate leadership can restore hope in times of crisis. In recognising Dr Sooliman, we affirm our commitment to engaged citizenship and service. His life reminds us that knowledge and expertise carry a responsibility to advance the public good,” he said.