The University of Johannesburg (UJ) officially conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Pitso Mosimane, one of South Africa’s most decorated and celebrated football coaches.

In a statement, UJ said the honour recognises Mosimane’s exceptional contributions to the sport and his commitment to excellence and innovation.

“Mosimane’s contributions extend beyond coaching; he is a vocal advocate for African football and has significantly impacted the development of young African players,” stated the statement from the university.

Coach Mosimanes career spans over two decades, during which he has achieved numerous accolades, including multiple league titles and continental championships. His leadership and strategic acumen have been pivotal in transforming teams and elevating South African football on the global stage.

Beyond his on-field success, Mosimane has been a tireless advocate for community and youth development, using his platform to drive positive change through the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools and Pitso Mosimane Foundation.

Among those in attendance were African football greats Florent Ibenge, Kalusha Bwalya, and Senegal coach Aliou Cisse.

Education and sports are two pillars that can profoundly impact our society. My dream is to have a school of my own, where education and high-performance football development can co-exist so that the Future generations can also pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance, just as I have. Through
With this honorary doctorate, I hope to inspire these young people to also recognise the importance of continuous education, he said.

The conferment ceremony took place at the University of Johannesburg in front of a long list of distinguished guests, such as the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, PSL Chairman, Dr. Irvin Khoza, UJ Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi, Executive Dean of Health Sciences, Prof. Annie Temane, and numerous other government and sports executives.