No-nonsense veteran television actor Sello Maake kaNcube is demanding a public apology and clarification from the Ministry of Higher Education and Training after his name became embroiled in fake degrees controversy dished out by Trinity International University of Ambassadors last year.
In a strongly worded letter written by the Sello Maake kaNcube Foundation, the legendary actor said he suffered serious reputational harm after he was publicly linked to the institution, whose honorary degrees came under scrutiny during the tenure of former Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
The foundation said Maake kaNcube accepted the honorary doctorate in good faith and believed the recognition bestowed upon him was legitimate and honourable.
It said the former Generations actor had no involvement whatsoever in the governance, accreditation processes, administration, regulatory compliance or operational affairs of the institution.
“Public commentary and pronouncements made during the tenure of former Minister Dr Blade Nzimande had the direct and foreseeable effect of associating Mr Maake kaNcube with allegations and controversies entirely beyond his knowledge, participation or control,” reads the letter.
The foundation accused the ministry of recklessly allowing respected public figures to become part of a highly publicised governmental narrative that exposed them to humiliation, ridicule and reputational damage without any evidence linking them to wrongdoing.
The entity further stated that the ministry failed to distinguish between issues relating to the accreditation status of the institution itself and innocent honorary recipients who merely accepted awards in good faith.
“This failure created an unjustified public perception that improperly implicated Mr Maake kaNcube in matters for which he bears absolutely no responsibility,” the foundation said.
The actor, who has spent decades in the entertainment industry building what the foundation described as a distinguished local and international legacy, said the handling of the matter damaged his dignity, public standing and professional brand.
According to the letter, which Africa Daily has seen, the oundation is now demanding that the ministry publicly acknowledge that Maake kaNcube was not implicated in any wrongdoing, fraud, illegality or misrepresentation linked to Trinity International University of Ambassadors.
It is also demanding a formal apology for the reputational harm caused by the manner in which his name became associated with the controversy.
Among the demands contained in the letter is a public clarification that honorary recipients were not responsible for the accreditation status, administration or regulatory affairs of the institution.
The thespian’s foundation also wants an undertaking from the ministry that future public communication on similar matters will be handled with greater care in order to avoid unfairly prejudicing innocent third parties and respected public figures.
The letter further revealed that Maake kaNcube is in the process of appointing legal representatives to advise him on the full extent of the reputational and professional harm he allegedly suffered as a result of the matter.
While the theatre doyen’s foundation said it remains committed to resolving the matter amicably, it warned that the actor reserves the right to pursue legal action should there be no meaningful corrective intervention, public clarification or restorative action.
“The foundation trusts that the Ministry will appreciate the seriousness of this matter and address it with the urgency, fairness and constitutional sensitivity it warrants,” the letter reads. Spokesperson for Minister of Higher Education Matshepo Seedat had not responded to our questions at the time of publishing.
