Mandela Visit
NELSON MANDELA WAS in Oxford this week to speak at the opening of the new lecture theatre at the Saïd Business School. The School has named the 300-seat theatre after the former President of South Africa, who made a rare visit to the city to thank the University for what he called the "unsurpassed honour". Mandela said: "It is because education is one of the highest priorities in human society that I am most touched to be associated with Oxford".
Mandela spoke to an audience including the Chancellor Lord Jenkins, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Colin Lucas, and University members and alumni, as well as School benefactor Mr Wafic Rida Saïd. He welcomed the proposed launch of a new Chair in Globalisation at Oxford: "As one from the developing world, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of globalisation".
Mandela then spoke of the struggles in his country during the time of apartheid, when he and his supporters formed a coalition with the white government in the name of democracy: "Some said that if you talk to your enemies, you are untrue to all those who perished. They said there would be rivers of blood through South Africa. But if you do not swallow your pride, more people will die". His words have been taken by many as a reference to current world politics. John Baron, Master of St. Peter's, called the speech a "clear reference to the situation in Palestine and Israel."
Mandela did not attend the champagne reception that followed his speech, retiring to rest before a dinner with the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. He appeared physically frail and was helped to the stage by aides but, despite his 83 years, he joked that "many of you are under the false impression that I am an old man...I don't want to dye my hair".
The reception for the former President was emotional, with South African students singing in their native language as he left, to the last of the three standing ovations. Professor Gordon Clark commented on the "contrast between his achievement and his straightforward, low-key way of speaking", and one South African Rhodes Scholar called the speech "a reminder of what's important in the world".
25th Apr 2002