- The University of South Africa (UNISA) has categorically denied claims that it awarded an honorary doctorate to Zimbabwean self-proclaimed prophet Walter Magaya.
- Magaya allegedly posted a fabricated video of a staged UNISA graduation ceremony, which the university swiftly debunked.
- UNISA is now contemplating legal action against Magaya, sparking widespread amusement among South Africans over the bizarre claim.
Tebogo Mokwena, a seasoned Briefly News journalist with a passion for current affairs, brings seven years of experience covering international and local social issues such as health, corruption, education, unemployment, labor disputes, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa. His work has been featured in Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
PRETORIA — The University of South Africa (UNISA) has announced its intention to pursue legal action against self-proclaimed Zimbabwean prophet Walter Magaya. Magaya recently made headlines after falsely claiming that UNISA had bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate. This bold fabrication has not only drawn scrutiny but also a fair amount of laughter from South Africans who find the idea of staging a graduation ceremony both audacious and amusing.
Who is Walter Magaya, and What Led to This Controversy?
Walter Magaya, a controversial figure in Zimbabwe, is known as a self-proclaimed prophet with aspirations to lead the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA). However, his bid for the presidency was thwarted when it came to light that he lacked the necessary football qualifications for the position. In an attempt to bolster his credentials, Magaya submitted a diploma in marketing from UNISA, hoping it would satisfy ZIFA’s requirement for qualifications equivalent to five O-level passes. Unfortunately for Magaya, the Zimbabwean High Court questioned the legitimacy of this document.
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Adding fuel to the fire, Magaya allegedly posted a video where he appeared to be receiving an honorary doctorate from UNISA. UNISA swiftly responded to these claims via its official X account, denying any association with Magaya. The university confirmed that Magaya had never registered as a student and announced its intention to take legal action against him for this deceptive act.
Check out UNISA’s official X statement here:
Other Notable Instances of Fake Qualifications
- Briefly News has previously reported on several high-profile cases involving politicians caught with fabricated qualifications.
- Renowned figures like actor Sello Maake KaNcube and singer Winnie Mashaba graduated from Trinity University, an institution later found to be operating unlawfully.
- Economist Thabi Leoka faced backlash after claiming she held a degree in economics from the University of London, a claim later proven false.
How Did South Africans React?
Social media users in South Africa couldn’t help but express their amusement and disbelief at Magaya’s antics. Many found the idea of staging a graduation ceremony both absurd and comical. Here’s what some of them had to say:
Mukuru asked:
“How does someone even fake a graduation? That takes some creativity—or desperation.”
Nkayi Centre chimed in:
“This situation calls for a thorough investigation. There are too many people walking around with fake degrees who’ve never set foot in a university. Something needs to be done about this epidemic.”
Kwena Molekwa added:
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“We’ve been warning everyone about how scammers exploit UNISA’s name. It’s time for action. Enough is enough.”
Tinonetic was firm in their stance:
“This is fraud, plain and simple. He needs to be held accountable for his actions.”
Sabizinto Biyela was particularly vocal:
“Go after this guy with everything you’ve got. Don’t let him get away with this nonsense.”
Another Viral Case: Matthew Lani and His Fake Medical Degree
In a similar vein, Briefly News covered the story of Matthew Lani, whose claim of being a qualified doctor went viral on TikTok in the U.S. Lani’s story gained traction after a TikTok user shared a statement from Wits University distancing itself from him and denying his alleged medical qualification. It was later revealed that Lani had stolen another doctor’s identity, prompting the real doctor to speak out against him. This incident serves as yet another reminder of the importance of verifying credentials and holding individuals accountable for their actions.
