On behalf of the staff of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, the institute’s board chairperson, on the conferment of the degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa by the University of Strathclyde.

This distinguished honour recognises a lifetime of principled leadership, courageous public service, and an unwavering commitment to justice, peace, human dignity and democratic accountability. It is a fitting tribute to a leader whose life has consistently demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by position or power, but by the courage to act with integrity, particularly when the cost of doing so is high.

The University’s oration beautifully captures the extraordinary arc of your life’s journey. It covers your early resistance to apartheid, your imprisonment, and your role in shaping South Africa’s democratic constitutional order, to your fearless leadership during the HIV and AIDS crisis, your work advancing women’s rights, peacebuilding, and ethical governance, and your continued service on the global stage. Throughout every chapter, your moral compass has remained steadfast, reminding us that justice without compassion is incomplete, and that peace requires both courage and conviction.

Your acceptance speech reflected the same values that have defined your public life. Your reminder that education is “a tool of liberation,” your call for empathy as a courageous act, and your vision of Ubuntu as the foundation for a more humane and just world speak powerfully to the mission that guides the work of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Your challenge to graduates to make their learning an instrument of service rather than status resonates equally with all of us who seek to build societies rooted in inclusion, dignity and reconciliation.

At IJR, we have had the privilege of witnessing your commitment to social justice and ethical leadership at close hand. As your colleagues and friends at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, we celebrate this well-deserved honour with immense pride. We thank you for your exemplary leadership, your generosity of spirit, and your lifelong dedication to building a more compassionate, equitable and peaceful world.

May this honorary doctorate serve not only as recognition of your remarkable achievements, but also as an inspiration to all who follow in your footsteps.

Congratulations, Dr Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. We celebrate you, your legacy, and your continuing contribution to justice and reconciliation in South Africa and across the world.