Bob Marley widow Rita Marley received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in South Africa.
This marks the second honorary doctorate Rita Marley is getting from a major University. In 2015, she received another doctorate from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. The UFC honored her at a recent ceremony held at the Alice Campus of the university. She received her doctorate in in social sciences and humanities.
Rita Marley was unable to attend the ceremony so Rosemary Duncan, manager of the Rita Marley Foundation, accepted it on her behalf, but she did make a statement. “How good God is. I am that I am, a ghetto girl with great ambition, so I give thanks,” she said. “It was unexpected, but such a great honor to be recognized by the University of Fort Hare, Dr. Nelson Mandela’s alma mater.”
Marley added that her hard work and contributions to the global community through her foundation are among the reasons why she was selected for the honorary doctorate. During the ceremony, the choir sings Bob Marley classic single “One Love” in honor of Rita Marley. Rita is a former member of the reggae band I Three and once used to provide backing vocals to her late husband Bob Marley.
The Jamaican government awards her with the Order of Distinction in 1996 for her contribution to music.
