Before a crowd of 25,000 that stretched from the steps of Memorial Church to the stone columns of Widener Library, Nelson R. Mandela called for continued efforts to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor in countries around the world.
Mandela, the current president of South Africa, who spent 27 years in jail for fighting against the government-imposed apartheid laws that deprived black citizens of their rights, received an honorary doctorate of law from Harvard at a rare ceremony conducted Friday afternoon.
"To join George Washington and Winston Churchill as the other recipients of such an award conferred at a specially convened convocation...holds great symbolic significance," Mandela said. "The name of an African is now added to those two illustrious leaders of the Western world."
Flanked by some of the most renowned scholars of Africa and Afro-American studies, standing at a podium adorned with white and crimson roses, Mandela praised Harvard's commitment to studying the African continent.
"Our fledgling democracy faced with enormous tasks of reconstruction and development owes your institution a great debt of gratitude," Mandela said. "As South Africans play their role in helping to conceptualize and give content to the African Renaissance, we continue to draw upon the intellectual skills nurtured and honored here."
At the end of the ceremony, to the steady beat of African drums and the ringing bells of Memorial Church, Mandela shook hands and chatted with students, hugging the more emotional supporters.
In an unrehearsed gesture characteristic of his relaxed political style, Mandela personally thanked each member of the Harvard University Choir after the group performed "Fair Harvard" at the conclusion of the ceremony.
He then met each student in the Harvard-Radcliffe Kuumba Singers, the group that had performed the South African national anthem earlier in the ceremony.
A Call for Equity
While many institutions like Harvard--and many leaders like Mandela--have worked for social and racial equality, freedom for all is still a long walk away, Mandela said Friday.
Echoing United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words at Sanders Theatre on Thursday, the South African president asked the world, as one, to "combat and eradicate its disparities."
He also emphasized the importance of globalization--world unity which is exemplified by universities like Harvard that study international issues and attract students from around the globe.
Bringing countries around the world together to confront poverty and inequality is a theme that runs through many of Mandela's speeches. A man who practices what he preaches, Mandela often takes his ideas from continent to continent, speaking before the United Nations and other governments.
But, while his theme was global Revealing a humor to rival Bob Hope, Mandela,in his clipped accent, began his speech with thetale of a frightened visitor he met 10 years agoin South Africa. A middle-aged lady, though obviouslyintimidated by his stature, came directly to thepoint, saying, "You are 70, and I came here to seehow a man of 70 looks like." Read more in News
