Lionel Davis, of Muizenberg, a prominent figure in South Africa’s political and artistic spheres, has been awarded an honorary doctorate in social science by UCT.
“I was astounded when I heard. I never expected anything like this. When you’re a community worker, bringing people together, you don’t think in terms of accolades. Making other people feel good makes me feel good,” he said.
Born in District Six in 1936, his life has been marked by resilience and activism.
In 1964, he was arrested and sentenced to seven years on Robben Island for acts of sabotage against the apartheid regime.
During his imprisonment, he finished his matric and honed his artistic talents, creating drawings and linocuts from whatever materials he could find.
Upon his release, he faced further restrictions under a banning order and house arrest until 1976.
He dedicated himself to community work, particularly in the realm of arts education.
At the Community Arts Project (CAP) in Cape Town, he taught art to young people, activists, and adults from disadvantaged backgrounds.
His commitment to art and education led him to pursue formal training with a diploma in fine arts from the Evangelical Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift in 1981 and a BA in fine art from UCT in 1994.
He has exhibited his work across the country and internationally.
The UCT proposal to grant Mr Davis the honorary doctorate notes that his name and legacy are intertwined with the fight against apartheid and the pursuit of human rights.
It says: “Mr Davis is not only an accomplished artist but also a generous mentor, a passionate educator, and a powerful voice for human rights and social justice.
“He has inspired generations of artists and activists with his courage, creativity, and resilience. He has also documented and preserved the history and culture of District Six and Robben Island through his artworks, which are displayed in various museums and galleries.”
Mr Davis received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arts and Culture Trust in 2016 for his work in South African arts, culture, and heritage.
He often talks to young people, especially college students, who want to know how they can make a difference.
“When they ask about creating change, I tell them to look at their own communities first and find where help is needed,” he said.
