SADC University of African Medicine honours Blondie Makhene

South African musical icon, Blondie Makhene was on Thursday the 4th of March conferred with a Doctorate Degree in African Medicine by the SADC University of African Medicine in association with Christ the Lamb Theological Seminary in an exquisite ceremony at the Protea Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The event that started at 10 in the morning saw six other candidates graduating with PhD Degrees and Doctorates.

The SADC University of African Medicine was established in December 2020 and runs under the most capable hands of the President and Founder, Professor Mbaimbai Hlati. The Professor is also the President and Founder of SADC Unified Ancestral Traditional Health Practitioners Association with 16 member countries in the SADC region. The Professor has over forty years experience in the African Medicine fraternity. He is currently the President of the Limpopo Unified Traditional Health Practitioners (LUTHIPA).

He is a pillar in the community who has adopted twenty children from surrounding primary schools, donated to various causes in the community and has helped in the development of his community in Limpopo.

At the graduation ceremony on Thursday, Professor Mbaimbai Hlati was conferred with an Ancient Ancestral Certificate and a Pseudo-Scientific Certificate by Professor Mdlalose, President of Christ the Lamb Theological Seminary.

Speaking at the ceremony, teary eyed Professor Mdlalose remarked that he had never seen anyone as dedicated in the African Medicine industry as Professor Mbaimbai.

In his speech, professor Mbaimbai stated that the university might have been started by himself but, it is for everyone. He appealed to the world at large to chip in, in any way possible to make this venture a success. “Nobody thought that we as African Traditional Doctors can have our own university,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Makhene family, Blondie Makhene’s manager Mojalefa Mogagabe (MJ) of IYM Productions thanked the University for the gesture to acknowledge and appreciate Mkhulu Blondie while he is alive. He also thanked all the African Medicine practitioners for answering their calls and never giving up even when the going got tough. “We stand proud today as children of your gift.”

Attending the ceremony were many who came to support their loved ones as they made history by being the first ever graduates of the SADC University of African Medicine. Among them was Lebo, Dr Makhene’s daughter-in-law and Tshidi, Dr Makhene’s wife.

Fellow musician Ndyebo Mokoena was also present to support Blondie.

Link to Dr Mohami’s interview will be added soon.

-Connie V