Mandela awarded in Makassar

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Hasanudin University in Makassar awarded on Saturday the honoris causa title to former South Africa President Nelson Mandela for his dedication to peace and humanity. The award was handed over by university rector Rady A. Gani to Ebrahim Rasool, the Governor of South Africa's Western Cape, who was representing Mandela.

In the awards ceremony held in the university campus, Rady said that Nobel Peace Prize winner Mandela deserved the award as he had relentlessly fought for freedom, democracy and human rights. Makassar has strong ties with South Africa, with a Makassar hero Sjech Yusuf once spreading Islam in the predominantly Christian state.

The heir of Sjech Yusuf, Sultan Hasanuddin lent his name to the university, the largest in eastern Indonesia.

Other honoris causa titles granted by the university have gone to first president Sukarno, first vice president Muhammad Hatta and Soemitro Djoyohadikusomo, a respected economist. -- Antara