Nelson Mandela honoured at Cambridge
Nelson Mandela, former political
prisoner who then became
president of South Africa, was
recently made an honorary fellow
of Magdalene College,
Cambridge.
AP PHOTO/ANDREW PARSONS/POOL
In his speech, Dr Mandela
emphasised his commitment to
equality and education. He
praised the South African tertiary
education system, which is
based on the British system, and
thanked Cambridge University
for supporting Mandela Scholarships.
The scholarships were
set up in his honour to allow
outstanding graduate students
from South Africa, who would
otherwise not be able to do so,
to study at Cambridge. He told
his audience, "South Africa is in
need of skilled men and women
to service the democracy." One
of the key demands of Dr Mandela's
campaign against
apartheid was equal educational
opportunity for all. When he
was growing up, education was
limited and expensive for black
South Africans. Mandela studied
for his law degree from the University
of London while he was
still in captivity.
At the ceremony Dr Mandela
admitted to his audience that he
was nervous, "firstly because I
am a pensioner, secondly
because I am unemployed and
thirdly, because I have a bad
criminal record."
Monica Desai, Cambridge
studentBMJ 2001;09:171-216 June ISSN 0966-6494
