Elon’s mom becomes Dr Maye Musk and says Free State’s honorary degree “best thing” that’s happened to her

Elon Musk’s mother has become Dr Maye Musk, thanks to an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State (UFS). Dr Musk – a UFS alumna – said it’s the best thing that could have happened to her.

Along with three other recipients, Dr Musk received the doctorate in a ceremony yesterday (12 April) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Musk recalled many happy memories of Bloemfontein and the university and said that her experiences in the city also helped her when she moved to Canada and the USA. She said:

“This was so unexpected. Thank you very much for this honour. My children are very proud of me. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has been wonderful experiences in Bloemfontein and at Kovsies, everybody was great. Thank you.”

UFS honorary doctorates are bestowed on individuals in recognition of their outstanding contribution to a particular field or society, and their altruistic actions or lifetime accomplishments that benefit a community, nation, or humanity in general.

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS said:

“It is indeed a great honour for me to congratulate a very worthy recipient of a UFS honorary doctorate. A woman who has made her mark with grace and poise across the globe in the vital field of nutrition and dietetics, and whose passionate contribution to her profession will continue to reverberate wherever her popular publication is prescribed, studied, and its principles applied.

“Dr Musk, today we participate in what you have achieved in the field of nutrition, healthy living, and wellness. May this gesture of recognition inspire you to keep on being successful and making an impact wherever you go. And may you always remember that you are part of our UFS community – and our family – here in the Free State.”

Prof Petersen said the UFS’ relationship with its alumni is one of university’s most cherished assets, with an appreciation of the notion that your success is our success, and vice versa.

Dr Maye Musk’s passion for nutrition and empowerment

The UFS described Dr Musk as “an international best-selling author, dietitian, model, and public speaker. Her book, A woman makes a plan, is available in 100 countries and published in 30 languages. She has run her own nutrition business in eight cities and three countries for more than 45 years.”

She was the first . Representative of the Consulting Dietitians of South Africa, President of the Consulting Dietitians of Canada, and Chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

The university says Dr Musk paved the way for others to follow, becoming the first dietitian to run a website, and the only dietitian to take the registration exams in three countries.

Dr Musk has spoken at events worldwide from Australia to Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and won the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award in the USA.

After the graduation ceremony, Dr Musk was guest of honour at a luncheon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UFS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, which was established in 1983.

Source: UFS