Latest news with #doctorate
Mail & Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- Mail & Guardian
From Soweto to Great Hall: Football's doctor of dreams
Honoured : Graduates wore Kaizer Chiefs jerseys under their academic gowns when Kaizer Motaung received his doctorate. Photo: Supplied In a week when academia and football crossed paths in a celebration of legacy, Kaizer Motaung — founder of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club — strode into the annals of South African history. At the age of 80, 'The Chairman' received an honorary doctorate in commerce from the University of the Witwatersrand, a rare moment when the beautiful game met the halls of scholarship. This wasn't just a ceremonial hat-tip to a beloved football icon. It was a recognition of a man who built an empire from the streets of Orlando East, reimagined the game for black South Africans during apartheid and created one of the most revered clubs on the continent. Motaung's journey reads like a script written in defiance of odds — with football as both a cultural force and economic engine. When Kaizer Motaung launched his eponymous club in 1970, he wasn't just founding a team, he was making a statement. Inspired by a stint with Atlanta Chiefs in the United States, where he shared the pitch with legends such as Brazil's Pele, Motaung returned home with a dream — to build a professional football outfit with international flair and local pride. He had worn the black-and-white of Orlando Pirates. But now he envisioned something new — gold and black jerseys with a Native American chief's silhouette. Kaizer Chiefs was born in Soweto amid doubt, scorn and admiration. 'We had no resources, no fanbase and no guarantees,' Motaung recalled at the Wits graduation ceremony. 'But we had vision, we had grit.' That grit would turn Chiefs into a powerhouse not only in local football, but in African sport and pop culture. Today, the club boasts more than 14 million supporters. For generations of young South Africans, it was more than a team, it became an identity. I first met Kaizer in the early 1970s through an unlikely confluence of football, apartheid-era travel restrictions and a shared community of resisters. At the time, the segregationist laws prohibited black teams from staying in hotels designated for white people. Motaung and his squad had to be accommodated at the newly opened Palm Springs Hotel in the coloured-zoned suburb of Wentworth, south of Durban. The hotel, owned by the enterprising Twynham brothers, became a safe haven for Kaizer Chiefs — and an informal hub for sporting activism. As a young sports journalist — and through my own ties to the Twynhams — I found myself welcomed into that circle. My fellow football-playing brother Jagethesan John Padayachee and I were invited to join the Chiefs entourage to Umlazi Stadium for a league clash against AmaZulu. We sat beside the legendary coach Eddie Lewis. Lawrence Ngubane commanded AmaZulu's defence. Somewhere in the family albums, there's a photograph taken by The Star's Fanyana Shuburi: two suited brothers walking alongside Kaizer Motaung. It was more than a photo op, it was history in motion. Fast forward to 15 July 2025, inside the Wits Great Hall where Motaung addressed a new generation of graduates in commerce, law and entrepreneurship. Some wore their academic gowns over Kaizer Chiefs jerseys. Others, including Motaung's grandchildren, had chosen Wits as their academic home. The ululations echoed through the hall as Motaung took the stage. 'Nelson Mandela taught us that education is the most powerful tool to change the world,' he said. 'To the Class of 2025, use your talents and skills to empower others and build a better South Africa.' Wits's chancellor, Judy Dlamini, called Motaung a 'unicorn' — a figure of rare integrity and effect. 'Build institutions that not only survive but thrive,' she told the graduates. 'Just as Kaizer Motaung has done.' Vice-chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi reflected on how Wits Football Club defied apartheid. In 1978, they became the first integrated team to play in Soweto. They once beat Chiefs in a Mainstay Cup final — but in the stands, fans had already chosen their revolutionaries in boots. Kaizer Motaung's achievements transcend football trophies. He helped pioneer South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid, served on the organising committee and mentored countless players who went on to represent Bafana Bafana on the world stage. The award-winning entrepreneur received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his contributions to sport and business. But it's his humility that disarms even the most seasoned observer. 'We faced obstacles — financial struggles, logistical nightmares, sceptics — at every turn,' he told the Wits audience. 'But we never gave up. Perseverance, hard work and belief carried us through.' He paid tribute to his wife, Julegka, 'my rock', and to his parents for their moral compass. And he did not forget the fans and sponsors — 'the soul of Kaizer Chiefs'. In a moment that silenced even the click of cameras, Motaung quoted former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt: 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' Then he added: 'Whether you choose sport, business or community work, success is within your reach. Stay focused, stay driven and always believe in yourselves.' For me, as a chronicler of anti-apartheid struggle and sport, it was a full-circle moment. Kaizer Motaung began his career when apartheid's walls loomed large. He ends it — if it can ever truly end — with a doctorate, a thriving club and millions who call him 'Chairman'. South Africa has produced many footballers, but few become institution-builders, social innovators and national treasures. Now, with cap and gown added to the gold and black, Dr Kaizer Motaung belongs to history. Motaung's milestones illustrate an extraordinary example of sporting excellence: 1944: Born, Soweto 1968: Joins Atlanta Chiefs (US), North American Soccer League Rookie of the Year 1970: Founds Kaizer Chiefs FC 1978: Leads Chiefs into non-racial National Premier Soccer League 2010: Member of SA Fifa World Cup bid and local organising committee 2025: Receives honorary doctorate in commerce from Wits University. Marlan Padayachee is a veteran correspondent of South Africa's transition to democracy, and is now a freelance journalist, photographer and researcher.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Average Net Worth of People With and Without a Doctorate
Doctorate degrees carry a lot of weight on a resume, but what do they actually do for your financial life? Are people with doctorates really that much better off when it comes to net worth? Here's how much net worth differs between those with a doctorate and those without. Discover Next: For You: According to data from the U.S. Career Institute, people with a doctoral degree earn around $4 million throughout their careers. That's a full million dollars more than what many people with a master's degree or bachelor's degree earn in their lifetime. And it's nearly double what someone with only a high school diploma or less can expect to make. Check Out: That difference in earning potential can make a pretty big difference over time, especially when it comes to savings and building net worth. It's important to note that income and net worth aren't the same. Income is how much you earn. Net worth is how much you actually keep after paying off everything you owe. Someone can make six figures and still have a low or even negative net worth if they're spending it all. That said, higher income makes it a lot easier to build wealth. The more you earn, the more room you have to save, invest, pay off debt and prepare for the future. For example, if someone with a doctorate earns around $4 million over a 30-year career, that averages out to about $133,000 per year. If they start saving just 10% of their income in their early 30s (roughly $13,000 a year) and invest it with a 6% average annual return, they could build a net worth of over $1.1 million by retirement if they don't have any debt. On the other hand, someone earning half that amount, around $66,000 a year, saving the same 10% would end up with about $550,000 over the same timeframe. With more income, doctoral holders can take advantage of opportunities others might not be able to. They're more likely to: Max out their retirement accounts Pay off student loans quicker Invest in real estate or the stock market Build an emergency fund faster But having a doctorate doesn't automatically mean someone is wealthy. It'll still come down to how they use their income and how they prepare for the long term. According to Brookings, less than 2% of U.S. adults have a doctoral degree. That rarity makes it more valuable in certain industries. Employers are often willing to pay more for someone with that level of education and expertise, especially in fields like academia, healthcare, law and research. Though people with a doctorate have a median income of 4 million, top earners of this group make slightly over 8 million in their lifetime. You may be able to earn a higher salary and achieve financial freedom faster with a doctoral degree. But remember that getting a doctorate will take lots of time, money and energy. Depending on where you live, the tuition can be expensive and depending on the field, it might take years before you see a solid financial return. If you're planning to work in a field where a doctorate is highly valued, it could absolutely be worth it. But you'll want to think beyond the salary you could potentially earn. Consider whether the degree aligns with your career goals, your interests and your long-term financial plans. In other words, if you're thinking about pursuing a doctorate, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. The financial benefits can be huge, but only if you take advantage of them. More From GOBankingRates The 5 Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025 This article originally appeared on The Average Net Worth of People With and Without a Doctorate Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
31-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Three R.I. college students graduated alongside their idol: Their mom
On the first morning of graduations at the University of Rhode Island, Allison Jedson was walking across the stage to receive her doctorate in nursing practice when a shout broke the silence in the arena. 'That's my mom!' Emily Jedson yelled from the bleachers, prompting the arena to break into applause.
Washington Post
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
For a Howard mom of three, earning her doctorate is a family victory
As Stacey Speller waited to walk across the stage in Howard University Yard this Mother's Day weekend, she blew kisses to her husband and three children. Speller, who had first learned to navigate motherhood while still an undergraduate student, was minutes away from officially earning her doctorate in higher education leadership and policy. She grew teary-eyed gazing at her children — ages 6, 10 and 14 — in the audience.
