09 October 2026
Dear Staff and Students
It is with immense pride that I write to congratulate Dr Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The award, announced earlier today by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, is in recognition of Dr Pillay’s contribution to international justice and efforts to ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Dr Pillay has built an extraordinary career in the service of human rights and the rule of law, earning international recognition as one of the leading advocates for justice, and human rights across the globe.
Her distinguished record includes serving as a lawyer defending anti-apartheid activists, as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, as a judge of the International Criminal Court, and as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. She also chaired the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Throughout her career, Dr Pillay has contributed to the development of international justice. Her work has helped strengthen the legal frameworks through which crimes against humanity are investigated and prosecuted.
For the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), this international recognition carries particular significance. Dr Pillay is an alumna of UKZN, having graduated from the then University of Natal with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1965. She subsequently obtained a Master of Laws degree in 1982 and a Doctor of Juridical Science in 1988 from Harvard University in the United States.
Her relationship with the University extended well beyond her student years. Dr Pillay has served as a lecturer and held other responsibilities in the higher education sector, including as Vice-President of the Council of the former University of Durban-Westville (another predecessor to UKZN).
She has also served on the UKZN Foundation’s Board of Trustees and continues to maintain close ties with the University and its School of Law.
In recognition of her contribution, the University established the Navi Pillay Research Group within the School of Law. The group advances interdisciplinary research, education, policy development and advocacy in human rights and social justice.
Its work addresses contemporary social challenges, including issues of race, class, gender and disability in post-apartheid South Africa.
The research group provides an institutional platform through which Dr Pillay’s legacy can continue to inform scholarship and public engagement.
Dr Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize is a moment of immense pride for UKZN. It recognises a distinguished career dedicated to advancing justice, upholding human rights and protecting human dignity. Her achievements also affirm the transformative power of education in preparing graduates to confront injustice, challenge discrimination and contribute meaningfully to society.
For UKZN, Dr Pillay’s accomplishments are a source of particular pride, reflecting the enduring impact that members of our University community can make on the national and international stage. Her life and work serve as an inspiring example to our students, academics and the wider community, demonstrating the importance of courage, integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Dr Pillay joins a distinguished group of South Africans who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, including Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk.
We celebrate Dr Pillay’s contribution to international justice, her longstanding association with UKZN and the enduring legacy of her work. Her achievements remind us that the pursuit of justice and the protection of human dignity are not merely ideals to be upheld, but responsibilities to be advanced through principled leadership and purposeful action.
Professor Nana Poku
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
University of KwaZulu-Natal