UCT honours humanitarian icon Imtiaz Sooliman with Honorary Doctorate

Gift of the Givers Founder Imtiaz Sooliman has been awarded an honorary doctorate of philosophy by the University of Cape Town.

The university says it's awarding Sooliman with its highest recognition for his humanitarian work, which spans three decades.

He left his medical career as a doctor in 1992 to establish the organisation. 

Since then, he has provided humanitarian relief to communities affected by both natural and man-made disasters.

Sooliman said the award reflects the class of people South Africans are.

"It's an indication of what we as South Africans do collectively because Gift of the Givers is a South African organisation supported by South Africans, for South Africans, for the continent and for the world."

Sooliman also said he is delighted to be among the humanities graduates and to see them excel in their work.

 "It was given by the humanities division and even to watch all our young children excel in their humanities, and how they supported each other and how they showed love for each other and how they praised each other, encouraging each other.