The former President of South Africa, regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, formally became Queen’s centenary honorary graduate at a special ceremony earlier this week attended by the Irish President Mary McAleese.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who led the struggle against apartheid, received the honorary doctorate for distinction in public service. In his citation, Queen’s Chancellor Senator George Mitchell described President Mandela as “an inspirational figure”

President Mandela, who was not in Belfast for the occasion, sent a specially recorded message to the ceremony.

Accepting his honorary degree from Sir Anthony O’Reilly ,chief executive of Independent News and Media PLC, which owns the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and Community Telegraph titles, President Man

dela said: “Thank you for the honour bestowed upon us today. My grandchildren will be impressed when I can boast I have an honorary doctorate from such an esteemed institution.

“Queen’s University Belfast plays a central role in the life of Northern Ireland and is key to its future.”

He also thanked the student body for naming Mandela Hall after him as part of the worldwide opposition to apartheid.

“In honouring us, you honour the people of South Africa too,” he said.