 Esther Malangu receives her honorary doctorate. Johannesburg, renowned NDP artist and international icon Esther Malangu was on Monday hailed as a visionary individual who broke down barriers in her own way during a graduation ceremony held at the University of Johannesburg, UJ. UJ conferred an honorary doctorate on Malangu, recognizing her legacy as a cultural entrepreneur who has skillfully negotiated local and global worlds and played a major role as an educator. Speaking of the honor, Malangu had earlier told the star set she was humbled by the recognition. Being recognized at home is such a blessing. It shows that my people still see the great work that I do, she said. Malangu's work came to international attention in 1989 after her inclusion on the important exhibition Mage Isiens de la Terre, held at the Centre Papidou in Paris. As a national icon and custodian of heritage, Malangu has been honored with awards and medals by government many times, and by more than one South African president. She received the Order of Icomanga, Silver Class, in 2006, as well as the Malangu Arts and Culture Award, an award from the French Ministry of Culture as well as two awards from Radio Ndeb among many other awards.