Mandisa Monakali Honoured with Posthumous UWC Honorary Degree
Updated: Sep 8
Ilitha Labantu’s founder and president, the late Mandisa Monakali, has been honoured posthumously by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) with an honorary degree, recognising a lifetime of commitment to the protection and empowerment of women and children.
Monakali was among seven distinguished individuals honoured by UWC, alongside Dr Naledi Pandor, Advocate Adila Hassim, Mary Robinson, Francesca Albanese and Professor Emeritus Loyiso Nongxa, as well as the late Charlotte Maxeke. UWC described Monakali and Maxeke as women who devoted their lives to the education and protection of women and children.
For Ilitha Labantu, the recognition is a powerful affirmation of the values on which the organisation was founded. Monakali established Ilitha Labantu in 1989, driven by a commitment to addressing violence against women and children and ensuring that women in township and rural communities could access support, advocacy and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
Her work extended beyond direct services. She was a strong advocate for the rights and voices of women, including through international engagement. In 1995, she participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, helping to ensure that African civil society perspectives were part of the global conversation on gender equality.
Today, Ilitha Labantu continues to carry this legacy through its work with survivors and communities, as well as through research, advocacy, policy engagement and global participation. Her belief in the importance of listening to women’s experiences and responding to injustice remains central to the organisation’s approach.
Beyond an individual accolade, the honorary degree recognises Monakali's life of service and a legacy that continues through the work of an organisation committed to advancing the rights, safety and dignity of women and children.
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