The National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC) applauds the University of Johannesburg for the gesture of respecting our heritage by honouring the renowned cultural practitioner, Dr Noria Mabasa an Honorary Doctorate for her achievements and contributions to society over the past 50 years. She accepted the honour by UJ on 19 April 2023 at a graduation ceremony.

Among her accolades, national and international, she received a Lifetime Achievement Golden Shield Heritage Award from the National Heritage Council of South Africa at a ceremony held in Limpopo on 22 November 2022.

“It gives us great pleasure to witness the appreciation of our elders and custodians of culture and heritage while they are alive. The National Heritage Council is welcoming the honour displayed by an academic institution such as the University of Johannesburg in contributing to the pride of South Africans for their heritage. Dr Noria Mabasa deserves this recognition for many contributions including being the first Venda woman to sculpt wood that continue to tell our African stories where ever they are displayed or exhibited. This will encourage many other Heritage Practitioners,” says Dr Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni the Chief Executive of the National Heritage Council.

The NHC recognized Dr. Noria Mabasa for her pioneering, advisor and community builder role through her art work. Her artwork, be it pottery or sculpturing has proven to communicate and educate her community and the country on issues around gender-based violence and the traditional way of solving conflicts. When it was taboo to reflect on the negative effect of apartheid, she defied all odds through her woodwork depicting the hardships, violence, displacement that the African community suffered while also addressing the themes of race and gender. Mabasa’s carvings depicts Venda mythology and spirituality as well as portraying the traditional ceremonies and daily lives of her community. Her art, for time immemorial, depicts the realities of life in the rural areas while promoting social transformation, nation building and national identity.

For interview requests, please contact: Tebogo Shilakwe, 084 597 8881 email: t.shilakwe@nhc.org.za.