CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor Edward Tsumele conferred Master of Arts Degree in Creative Writing with distinction by Rhodes University
By CityLife Arts Writer
Seasoned award winning arts journalist Edward Tsumele, was on Friday October 10, 2025, conferred with a Master of Arts Degree in Creative Writing with distinction by Rhodes University in Makhanda.
Tsumele, who enrolled at the university in 2022, was among the Spring cohorts of Masters and Doctor of Philosophy students who graduated at the Eastern Cape based internationally reputed educational institution at a graduation ceremony presided over by highly respected jurist Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
Tsumele passed Cum Laude and his thesis is titled The Melville Singer.
The thesis investigates the intersection of race and class, and how that intersection often assumes a negative connotation, but with the use of literary devices such as humour, how the negative connotation can be mitigated.
Madlanga capped the graduands at Settlers’ Monument shortly after he was inaugurated as the new Chancellor of Rhodes University, taking over from the equally respected jurist Lex Mpati.
Mbuyiseli Russel Madlanga (born 27 March 1962) is a retired South African judge who served as a justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 2013 to 2025. At the time of his retirement, he had served as Acting Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa, following the elevation of Mandisa Maya to Chief Justice.
The retired Constitutional Court Judge is currently in the public eye as he is presiding over the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of political interference into policing and infiltration of the justice system by crime syndicates with the alleged collaboration of crooked politicians.
The appointment of Justice Madlanga to chair the Madlanga Commission by President Cyril Rampaphosa follows recent public allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a media conference where he alleged that there was collusion between some politicians and crooked businessmen in committing serious crimes such as drug dealing and drug related killings.
Tsumele is a multi-award winning arts journalist who founded influential arts publication CITYLIFE/ARTS (citylifearts.co.za) in 2017, after an illustrious career in mainstream arts journalism spanning over two decades, including publishing in Sowetan, Daily Sun, Business Day, Sunday Times, Sunday Independent, Sunday World and City Press among others.
Wow, Eddie. Congrats are in order. Over the decades you have been an example of focus, discipline and dedication to the craft.
I remember the early years under Bra E. You displayed inner strength and resilience that unleashed your potential and power.
We have seen you rose to be one of the most influential arts specialist writers and a media pioneer and owner.
When papers were downsizing, you did not wallow in self pity but went on to found and launch your own online publication.
In your grit and light, we find our own that our fate is in our hands.
Congrats, Eddie. Keep shining. And may Afrika multiply your blessings.
Congratulations Edward, wow your hard work has truly paid off.
May you continue to treat each story with the same passion that started your journey.
Well done my brother. In fact I am not surprised by your academic achievements because of your never die spirit to excellence. I have seen you at Sowetan, where we worked together while I was still starting out as a budding young reporter, performed pretty well. be it stage play or album review, you have always be on top of your game.
Keep doing well brother.