daniel chigunwe
H-Metro Reporter
IN Malawi, entertainer and influencer, Pemphero Mphande, who is known for sharing love stories and connecting those who want to find lovers, is quite a big social media personality.
He also describes himself as a philanthropist and entrepreneur and has also managed artists in his home country.
Two years ago, the social media star found himself in the eye of a storm when UNISA disowned an honorary doctorate he had received from the university.
On November 7, 2023, UNISA released a statement which read:
“The University of South Africa (UNISA) has become aware, through social media posts and media queries, that Malawian socialite Phemphero Mphande, Malawian musician Patience Namadingo
as well as a certain Mansoor Sharif Karim claim to have received honorary doctorates from the
university in 2020, 2022 and 2023 respectively.
“UNISA wishes to state categorically that it has not conferred any such degrees on the trio and
that any assertion to this effect is simply not true.
“These three individuals are also not amongst the candidates considered and approved for the awarding of honorary doctorates in 2020, 2021 and 2023.”
As he battled the storm, which was triggered by this statement, Mphande chose to fight back and, a few days later, he released a statement to defend himself.
His statement read:
“Earlier this year, I was contacted by individuals who have been awarding honorary doctorates on behalf of UNISA and that they felt they could recognise our work. These individuals have previously recognised others at ceremonies held at UNISA campus and other campuses.
“I was recognised at a well patronised ceremony, alongside other individuals from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria as per photo below. This ceremony was organised and conducted by the same individuals that have been doing this for years.
“If UNISA is denying this today, either they are a part of the scam or they too are being scammed. I personally would be happy to work with UNISA to get to the bottom of this. Our team will investigate and would love to meet with officials from UNISA to understand how this has happened under their nose for years.
“Pemphero Mphande and others are not scammers, criminals or otherwise. If anything they are victims of a scam that UNISA can explain better. I believe in my work and its impact. It is valid and evident to all.”
Online Reporter