University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe has been appointed as a Knight of the French Legion of Honour, in recognition of his remarkable achievements with regard to academic and scientific cooperation.

One of the world’s most widely recognised honours, the Legion of Honour is a centuries-old award that is presented on behalf of the president of France and is the country’s most prestigious distinction. It was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte as the highest order of merit for military and civil services.

While only French citizens may be admitted to the order, foreign nationals can be distinguished in the order in recognition of accomplishments that uphold French ideals or for supporting causes that are defended by France.

Prof Kupe has been invited to an official ceremony where the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) will be bestowed upon him.

“I would like to express my gratitude for this distinction, which I accept both personally and on behalf of the University of Pretoria,” Prof Kupe said.

“Over the past few years, UP has forged many productive French partnerships in order to cultivate academic and scientific collaboration, provided our students with opportunities for global experience and facilitated the advancement of knowledge. Internationalisation is just one of our priorities at UP – transformation, equitable access to education and inclusivity, making a difference locally and globally are at the top of our agenda as a higher education institution.

“We are committed to educating students to be socially responsible, active citizens and service-driven leaders. These are values that are important to us, and I am deeply honoured that our ongoing efforts to uphold them have been afforded such esteemed recognition.”

In the official letter of appointment from Arnaud Roux, Deputy Head of Mission: Embassy of France, Prof Kupe was acknowledged as a “privileged partner of France”. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with members of the academic community in France.

In October 2021, the University of Montpellier conferred an honorary doctorate on Prof Kupe for his work in “building academic partnerships across the African continent and the globe, and for his leadership in transformation of higher education at a global level”. 

With the Legion of Honour award, Prof Kupe joins a group of eminent South Africans who were also granted the distinction, such as former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who was appointed as a Knight of the order in 2021 for her fight against corruption; Minister Naledi Pandor, who was honoured as an Officer of the order during her time as Minister of Higher Education and Training (2018); and the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who was appointed Grand Officer of the order – the highest rank for a non-head of state – in 1998.