Mandela awarded in Makassar

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