His words tease, soothe, bruise and heal.
His touch brings dead wood back to life.
He battles with stone until it smiles.
Bypassing flesh and blood,
he goes back to the bone to draw meaning and invoke immortality.
Under his spell, derelict wheelbarrows, abandoned exhaust pipes,
and irreparable motor engine parts come back to haunt us as works of art. So said Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of TUT when congratulating Prof Ntuli on occasion of the awarding of his Doctor of Language Practice (honoris causa) in the Faculty of Humanities at TUT, on 17 October 2024.   

Adjectives abound and lack when describing Dr Pitika Ntuli and his contribution to art, language and literature in South Africa and the world. This seasoned academic, decorated sculptor, and consummate poet and writer continues to shape art and language today.

Born in Springs in the East Rand, Dr Ntuli is the son of preacher man Ndlebe ka Ntuli. He grew up in Emalahleni. While a teacher, artist, author and critical thinker in the ’60s and ’70s, Ntuli was forced into exile in Swaziland and later arrested. International pressure forced his release to the UK in 1978.

He completed a Master of Fine Art degree at Pratt Institute in New York in 1977 and a Master of Arts at Brunel University in London in 1985. He lectured art at various international and South African universities including Central St Martin’s College of Art and the University of Witwatersrand. He held various high-profile positions including Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Durban-Westville. He has contributed immensely to art, language and literature in South Africa and the world.

Dr Pitika Ntuli, Doctor of Language Practice (honoris
causa) from the Faculty of Humanities.

Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Vice-Chancellor and Principal with Dr Pitika Ntuli.

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