Zulu King Honors Mandela

Jet, August 27, 2001

* ZULU KING HONORS MANDELA: Former South African President Nelson Mandela is presented a medal by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in recognition of Mandela's courage in leading South Africa's fight against apartheid. The award, a gold medallion featuring a representation of the Zulu King Shaka, who reigned in the early 1800s and is the great-grandfather of Zwelithini, was presented to the 83-year-old leader at his Johannesburg office since Mandela could not attend a prior presentation due to exhaustion following treatment for a new diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Zwelithini described Mandela as "our national leader," and said that he wished to recognize one of the world's heroes who participated in an honorable battle that won freedom for South Africa. "Mandela's contribution to this nation cannot be measured or repeated; it is an achievement that could only have been brought about by a unique man, at a unique point in history." Mandela resigned as president in 1999.