She is known as the Aftican queen because of her music. She has been in the industry for many decades, belting hits after hits.

That is the life story of one of South Africa’s most prolific and consistent entertainers.

 
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) yesterday conferred a doctorate of performing arts on world-acclaimed musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Chaka Chaka was in her usual jovial mood as she received her degree and it is something that delighted her.

Besides the degree, she is also the United Nations Childrens Fund goodwill ambassador and she has had the pleasure of performing for some of the world’s most renowned people.

Executive dean in the faculty of arts and design, Professor Nalini Moodley, described TUT’s conferring of an honorary doctorate as a realisation of a long-held dream.

After receiving her degree, Chaka Chaka spoke about how important it was to groom men in order to fight the GBV scourge in the country.

“I think I am very fortunate and don’t take that for granted. I am very saddened that we had a young girl who was killed at this university. We need to work hard in the upbringing of better young men,” she said.