Today is a day of celebration in South Africa; celebrating the life, trials, hardships and unwavering spirit of freedom embodied in the man that was
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy
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| Nelson Mandela and Tom PJ Hennessy, PRCSI 1994-1996. in Capetown at the conferring of the RCSI Honorary Fellowship on Mandela |
On 27th March 1996 RCSI awarded Nelson Mandela it's highest honour, the Honorary Fellowship.
There is no point in trying to paraphrase the citation given by the RCSI Vice-President, Mr. Peter McClean, as it would be an injustice to the person, achievements and spirit of Mandela. So it is reproduced in full below.
Citation
read by Mr Peter McLean, Vice-President RCSI
on the occasion of the Conferring of the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland on President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,
in Capetown, South Africa
on Wednesday 27th March 1996
Mr President,
It is indeed a cherished privilege for me to present to you a unique man who was set aside by God himself, as a Leader and Statesman. We come here today to confer an Honorary Fellowship, our highest award on President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. The importance of our journey diminishes to nothing the physical distance that exists between Ireland and the most southern city of the African nation. We come from a country that has a long and troubled history, similar in many ways to South Africa. We have experienced invasion, occupation, religious and political suppression, repeated rebellion, famine and emigration. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland which has existed for over two hundred years was founded by Irishmen some of whom were forced to obtain their basic medical education in Europe because of religious prejudice and educational suppression in their own country. Today, over two centuries later, we are an outward-looking international Medical College, with high standards but without regard to colour, class or creed.
Over six hundred of our graduates are from South Africa. Many of them had to make huge sacrifices and struggle hard to acquire a medical qualification in Ireland. Most of them managed to return to their own country during difficult times to serve their communities. In that context then, it is particularly fitting for us to enrol President Mandela as an Honorary Fellow of our College.
Life began for Nelson Mandela in humble surroundings in Mzezo, a small village on the banks of the Mbashe River in the Transkei. The news of his birth would have been overshadowed by the news of the ending of the First World War, the great 'Flu' epidemic and the visit of a delegation of the African National Congress to the Versailles Peace Conference to voice the grievances of the African people pf South Africa. His early years in a rural setting were free and easy with pursuits as varied as ballroom dancing, soccer and boxing. University studies were commenced at Fort Hare which led to a Law Degree from the University of Witwatersrand. The opportunity to pursue a lucrative legal career was sacrificed for active membership of the African National Congress. A policy of democracy and non-racialism reflected his deepest conviction. The entire thrust of his energies and efforts went towards freedom and fulfilment for all African people in their own land. In the harsh climate of Apartheid this soon led to arrest. Twenty-seven years in prison followed in dismal conditions which would have robbed an ordinary man of his spirit and dignity. Even with an imprisoned leader however, the African National Congress progressed in his name. In a totally unselfish way, he put the peoples' welfare before everything, bringing immeasurable hardship and suffering to himself.
On Sunday afternoon, 11th February 1990, after ten thousand days incarceration, he strolled through the prison gates, viewed by a world audience that was truly overjoyed. His beautiful words to the crowd will be immortalised
"I greet you all in the name of Peace, Democracy and Freedom, not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you the people."
A number of national and international rallies followed with jubilant receptions wherever he went.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. The following year for the first time in South African history, democratic non-racial elections were held. Soon afterwards he was elected President of the Republic of South Africa by the National Assembly in Capetown. The delight of the world was reflected by the attendance of the largest number of Heads of State at any single function since the funeral of President John F Kennedy in the United States in 1963.
His walk to freedom has been long and rugged. He is now well entitled to pause and admire the beautiful vista that has evolved through his efforts and vision. He still however has the optimism, energy and enthusiasm of an ageing teenager with some greying hairs about his brow. He will no doubt, continue on his walk to bring his people and his country to even greater heights.
In attempting to describe the career of President Nelson Mandela language becomes speechless. I simply invite him to enter the Roll of Honorary Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and in doing so to honour and enrich our College and our people.
The Honorary Fellowship is rarely awarded to non-medical people. The small distinguished list includes:
Eamon de Valera, late President of Ireland
His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Suad of Saudi Arabia
His Majesty The Yan di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Azlan Shah, King of Malaysia
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
His Highness, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Amir of the State of Bahrain
Her Excellency President Mary Robinson.
I present to you Mr. President for Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
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| Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 |
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy