Dr Rassie’s ceremony, Springbok Siya’s visit to Potch reach millions
The ceremony during which Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus received an honorary doctorate from North-West University (NWU), and which was also attended by Siya Kolisi, has reached an audience of about 94 million, according to statistics of NWU’s corporate communication and marketing section.
Erasmus played a key role in the Springboks’ victories in the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023 and Kolisi captained the Springbok team during both tournaments. The Springboks became the first team to win four world titles, two of them back-to-back.
The news about the honorary doctorate was published and broadcast 468 times across printed and online platforms as well as television and radio channels, with a potential reach of 94 373 300 audience members,” said Louis Jacobs, spokesperson of the NWU. The analysis of social media platforms has not yet been included in the analysis of the news coverage.
Following the ceremony ‘Dr Erasmus’, who studied at the University of the Free State, in his emotional acceptance speech, said he now “feels part of the North-West University”.
Kolisi attended the ceremony that was held in the Sanlam Auditorium on the Potchefstroom campus. At the ceremony PhD graduates also received their degrees.
Before the academic procession began, the atmosphere in Lover’s Lane was charged with emotion as students gathered to catch a glimpse of their sporting heroes. Kolisi, who walked down the lane first, was met with thunderous applause and chants of support. Students waved flags while he showcased the Webb Ellis World Cup Trophy.
Kolisi posted a picture on his Instagram story of a student excited to see him. He asked in the story, “Can you tell she is excited?” Mamello Mokoena, an honours in journalism and media studies student, who was captured in the picture responded to how she felt at that moment: “I thought I was going to collapse. It was the best day of my life after I was born.”
The mood shifted when Erasmus made his way through the crowd.
In the auditorium, Prof Riaan Rheeder from the Faculty of Theology commenced the ceremony with a prayer and a scripture reading from 1 Thessalonian 5:12-19, which reads in verse 12, “recognise those who work hard amongst you.”
Rheeder said the command is not just to the church but to the university. “A command to the university to recognise those PhD students who have worked hard.”
The NWU council chairperson Bert Sorgdrager, as well as vice-chancellor, and chief functionary of the day Prof Bismark Tyobeka, were joined by other guests, including Mark Alexander, who is the president of South African rugby, and Helgard Müller, former Springboks player.
Prof Awie Kotze, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, introduced Erasmus, saying he grew up in the town of Dispatch in the Eastern Cape and that as the director of rugby he and Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber guided the Boks to World Cup glory in 2023.
The atmosphere was electric as Tyobeka conferred Erasmus with a degree of Philosophiae Doctor (Honouris Causa) in Coaching Science which was made by NWU’s Faculty of Health. The NWU conferred this degree to him because he embodies the principles of resilience, determination, and teamwork which the NWU holds dear. Shortly after the cheers, Eagi graced the stage with his lively energy and congratulated Erasmus.
In response to a question about whether people should address him as doctor, Erasmus said he does not expect people to call him doctor, they can continue to call him whatever name they used before he was conferred the doctorate. He was speaking at a news conference hosted after the event.
Written by Boitumelo Mokhantso and Lungile Matsuma