South African President Jacob Gedleyhlekisa Zuma has been conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Leadership for Humanity by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT).
He was bestowed the honour in a special ceremony at the university in Cyberjaya near here yesterday.
Zuma was accompanied by his wife, Nomphumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, South Africa’s International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rod Davies, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom and Energy Minister Ben Martins.
Also present at the ceremony was Limkokwing founder and president Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing.
Zuma was in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day visit, beginning August 25.
He (Zuma) is the seventh leader from the African continent to receive an honorary doctorate from the university, apart from former South African President Dr Nelson Mandela, Botswana President Dr Festus Mogae, Kingdom of Lesotho Prime Minister Dr Pakalitha Mosisili and other African Leaders.
In his speech, Zuma said it was an honour to accept the honorary doctorate for humanity, not only for himself but also as a recognition and appreciation of deepening and friendly relations between the peoples of Malaysia and South Africa.
“In 2014, South Africa will celebrate 20 years of its freedom from apartheid rule…we (South Africa) shall do so cognisant of the sterling role that the people of Malaysia in general, and their leaders in particular, played in our (South Africa) struggle for freedom and justice.
“Limkokwing also conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Humanity on Dr Nelson Mandela in 2007, in recognition of his effort and role in bringing about a democratic South Africa through peaceful means,” he said.
Malaysia’s involvement in promoting greater cooperation and solidarity among newly independent countries of Asia and Africa had a prominent feature of the country’s modern political history, he noted.
“Indeed, one of the leading advocates for the developing world, former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had consistently championed the cause of the countries of the south, and was their voice and conscience on the global stage.
“Therefore, South Africa has to learn from Malaysia in many aspects, to become a developed country, among the sectors being education, which is putting investment in education for the benefit of its people.
“Educational reform has been a priority in South Africa since the advent of its democracy. The South African Government has introduced ‘no fee’ schools, which are institutions that receive all their funding from the state.
“It has also decided to invest in education at the lowest levels. Thus, our early childhood development centre and pre-school classes are growing each year.
“The country has recorded 99 per cent enrolment in primary and secondary schools,” he said.
On higher education, Zuma said South Africa had posted growth of over 50 per cent in the number of enrolments in higher education institutions, with students increasing from 603,000 in 2001 to 935,000 last year.
He said the South African Government was also building 12 new Further Education and Training Colleges, and refurbishing others in its pursuit to become a highly educated and skilled population in the future. - Bernama