Near-centenarian son of a preacher man receives honorary doctorate
2 February 2010
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Click here to comment on this article The Port Elizabeth Technikon has bestowed an honorary doctorate in technology on Dr Denzil Levy (BArch 1941) who, at 93, is seven years short of being a centenarian. A leading Port Elizabeth philanthropist in arts and culture, Levy was awarded the Doctor Technologiae (Honoris Causa) for ?service of excellence in the interest of the community in the fields of statesmanship, culture, society, politics, education, economics, arts and other walks of life?. Denzil Nathan David Levy (BArch 1941) was born on 28 June 1917 in Port Elizabeth (PE). The son of Rev. Abraham and Fanny Levy, his school career traversed Brisbane, Australia and Selborne College in East London and Grey High School in PE, South Africa. Levy graduated with an architectural degree from Wits and then practiced privately as senior partner at Denzil Levy, Muggridge & Benas. Armed with enormous energy and financial acumen, he served in this capacity for some 40 years. He chaired the local committee of the Institute of SA Architects for five of the 22 years he served, in addition to serving on the Central Council for SA Architects, the SA Property Owners? Association, the Building Research Advisory Committee and the PE Planning and Advisory Council. From the outset of his career, Levy contributed selflessly to various organisations that promoted culture, religion and the arts. A Wits benefactor, Levy contributed to: the East Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, choirs, art foundations and country clubs; universities, convocations, schools and school boards; the Salvation Army advisory board, the Port Elizabeth Publicity Association, the SA Bureau of Standards and the Jewish community generally. Perhaps Levy?s greatest contribution has been to the fine arts. He was a founder member of the King George VI Art Gallery Association in 1972, serving as Vice-Chairman for 15 years and Chairman for another 16 years, and he continues to serve on this committee. Similarly, since 1982, he has been a trustee of the King George VI Art Gallery (now the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum). An active committee member of the PE Musical and Dramatic Society since 1972, Levy?s support of the fine and performing arts, as well as music is reflected in his presiding over the Society for two of the 30-odd years he has been involved. Denzil Levy, philanthropist, has served the community of Port Elizabeth for some sixty years. He has contributed selflessly to the establishment, maintenance and endorsement of the fine arts (architecture, sculpture and painting), music and the performing arts. He has done this through acting on no less than 39 public committees and trusts devoted to the promotion of a wide range of social, religious and cultural pursuits vital to the Nelson Mandela metropolitan municipality. |