Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Antjie Krog, one of South Africa’s most revered literary voices, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg in recognition of her creative courage and enduring contribution to literature, language, and public thought. The ceremony, held during UJ’s Spring Graduation in October 2025, marked a moment of profound acknowledgment for a writer whose work has shaped the country’s cultural and ethical landscape for over five decades.
Krog’s literary journey began in her teenage years, and she has since authored thirteen volumes of poetry, numerous essays, and landmark non-fiction works that confront the complexities of identity, justice, and reconciliation. Her writing, often described as fearless and lyrical, has traversed the boundaries of genre and language, earning her acclaim both locally and internationally. Among her most celebrated works is the translation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, into Afrikaan – a symbolic act of linguistic bridge-building in post-apartheid South Africa.
The University of Johannesburg praised Krog’s unwavering commitment to truth and her ability to wield language as a tool for healing and transformation. In their tribute, they described her as a literary giant whose voice continues to inspire generations of scholars, leaders, and readers. The honorary doctorate follows a similar recognition by the University of Pretoria in 2024, underscoring the national and academic esteem in which she is held.
Throughout her career, Krog has remained a public intellectual unafraid to engage with the moral questions of her time. Her seminal work, Country of My Skull, chronicled the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with poetic intensity and journalistic rigor, offering a deeply personal lens on collective trauma. Her later writings, including Blood’s Inner Rhyme and Begging to Be Black, further explore the intersections of race, language, and belonging, often challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths.
The conferral of this honorary doctorate is more than a ceremonial gesture – it is a recognition of a life devoted to the pursuit of ethical clarity through creative expression. Antjie Krog’s legacy is not only etched in the pages of her books but also in the hearts of those who have found resonance, reckoning, and renewal in her words. Her creative courage continues to illuminate the path for writers and thinkers navigating the evolving terrain of South African identity and global humanism.
