Uppsala University honours Mandela
Today 6 December Uppsala University flies the Swedish flag at half-mast to honour the memory of former president of South Africa, honorary doctor Nelson Mandela who passed away in Johannesburg yesterday evening.
Nelson Mandela’s achievements are today honoured across the world. He was one of the world’s greatest role models for peace and democracy and has spent his life fighting for reconciliation and peace.
“Nelson Mandelas passing is a great loss to the world and he will be remembered for his peace-making and reconciling power, which has unique in its kind”, says Vice-Chancellor Eva Åkesson.
Mandela was appointed an honorary doctorate at Uppsala University after he left his presidency in 1999. He was not able to receive the insignia until the Conferment Ceremony in January 2000. He also had several personal contacts at Uppsala University.
The developments in South Africa played a central role for the Nordic Africa Institute and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation in Uppsala. Representatives of the ANC were often in Uppsala to meet the University management, researchers, teachers and students. Mandela’s release in 1990 was a major development for Uppsala and Uppsala University, and already a month later he came to Sweden and to Uppsala.
A memorable visit, according to Peter Wallensteen, Senior Professor of Peace and Conflict Research:
“His personal rising and ability to reach out to everyone and at the same time stand up for general human rights is an example to leaders all over the world. Many thought there would be a race war in South Africa, but after 27 years in prison Mandela was able to act in a way which instead gave us a blueprint for peaceful conflict resolution, democracy and reconciliation. It inspired negotiation solutions in many other parts of the world, for instance Northern Ireland.”
Mandela studied law at the University of Witwatersrand and worked as a lawyer in Johannesburg before he joined the ANC in 1944 and became the leader of the organisation in 1991. After 27 years in prison he was released and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with then president F W de Klerk 1993. Mandela then became president of South Africa 1994–1999 and has been awarded a number of other peace awards.