Gates, Luhabe, Rao and Suzman to be honoured by Stellenbosch University

Other honorary doctorates to be awarded by the University at its December 2006 and March 2007 graduation ceremonies will go to social entrepreneur and businesswoman Wendy Luhabe; world-renowned chemist and scientist Chintamani Nagesh Ramachandra (CNR) Rao of India; and veteran champion for human rights Helen Suzman. William Henry Gates III (Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa) As one of the pioneers of the digital era, Bill Gates is reckoned among the most important global entrepreneurs and philanthropists of his time. After the presidents of the G8 countries, he is often regarded among the ranks of the most influential people on earth. As early as the 1970s, when personal computers were still viewed as a curiosity and a hobby for geeks, Gates changed the way in which people use computers. He and Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, designed software that dramatically simplified computer use. By making personal computers both affordable and easy to use for ordinary people, Gates played a critical role in launching the information revolution. Gates and Microsoft have also transformed the computer industry. Under his leadership and following his vision, Microsoft has grown in three decades to become the largest software company — and one of the most influential companies — in the world. Today, Gates is utilizing his great wealth to make truly important contributions in other fields. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates and his wife Melinda have targeted the improvement of education and health around the world, particularly in the developing countries of Africa. Even more remarkable is that he personally directs and oversees the activities of the Foundation with the same rigour that he runs projects at Microsoft. Wendy Luhabe (Doctor of Commerce (DComm), honoris causa) As early as 1997, the World Economic Forum (WEF) identified Wendy Luhabe as a “World Leader of the Future”. In the subsequent decade she would distinguish herself as social entrepreneur and as one of the most influential businesswomen in South Africa. In the 1990s Wendy was a co-founder of Wiphold (Women’s Investment Portfolio Holdings), an investment consortium that did groundbreaking work in the field of black economic empowerment (BEE). Fully aware that woman entrepreneurs often struggle to obtain financing, Luhabe founded the Women’s Private Equity Fund in 2003 to assist women in this regard. As Vodacom chairperson she extensively expanded this company’s interests in Africa as far as Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. In addition, the company’s subscribers in Africa increased to more than 20 million. As chairperson of the South African International Marketing Council she makes a contribution to ensuring that South Africa is placed on the agenda of the international community. Her role in the Industrial Development Corporation is valuable for the development of a vigorous South African economy. Among the long list of Luhabe’s other impressive achievements are her nomination, by the Sunday Times, as one of the 20 most powerful women in South Africa and being honoured by the STAR Group in Los Angeles as one of the 50 leading woman entrepreneurs in the world. She is the author of the book Defining Moments – a look at the experiences of black businesspeople in the business world over a period of about 30 years. Wendy Luhabe has made a contribution to the ideal of creating a South Africa that promises hope and progressiveness for all it’s people. She has also helped pave the way for black woman leaders, who are increasingly making a mark in the business world. Chintamani Nagesh Ramachandra Rao (Doctor of Science (DSc), honoris causa) Prof Dr Chintamani Nagesh Ramachandra (CNR) Rao, the illustrious Linus Pauling Research Professor and Honorary President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, India; Chairman of the Science Advisory Committee of the Prime Minister of India; and President of the Third World Academy of Sciences with its office located in Trieste, Italy, has made significant contributions to many fields of physical and solid state chemistry. CNR Rao is aptly described as the evergreen researcher and the symbol of sustained excellence, currently authoring about 40 papers annually (47 in 2004) and his research results being referred to about 3 500 times per year. Even after five decades of tireless research work, CNR Rao continues to be a student of science, looking to learn new things with a childlike curiosity, and remains a firm advocate of cutting-edge scientific research. However, CNR Rao is equally committed to the application of science and technology to the immediate pressing problems of society, such as food, shelter and water. The research interests of CNR Rao are currently in solid state and materials chemistry. He studies the phenomena and properties exhibited by transition metal oxides systems, including high temperature superconductivity, colossal magneto resistance and metal-insulation transistors. CNR Rao is engaged in efforts to make nanoparticles and nanoparticle assemblies, open framework structures and porous solids. The contributions of CNR Rao have stimulated much progress in the synthesis, assembly and fabrication of nanomaterials, and equally importantly in the potential applications of these unique materials in a wide variety of technologies. Rao, having authored more than 1 400 peer-reviewed papers and 39 books, is probably the most quoted and noted scientist from the Third World, and also considered as one of the world’s foremost solid state and materials chemists. The South African government, particularly the Department of Science and Technology, regards South-South collaboration as a major strategic objective, particularly through IBSA, namely India, Brazil and South Africa. In that respect, Rao, as the current Chairperson of the Science Advisory Committee of the Prime Minister of India, is ideally positioned to promote mutually beneficial collaboration between South Africa and India, and thereby benefiting research at Stellenbosch. The Third World Academy of Science (TWAS), under the leadership of Rao, has gained an international reputation for its efforts to promote science in the developing world. The award by Stellenbosch University will pay tribute to one of the world's leading scientists and to a wonderful human being. Helen Suzman (Doctor of Law (LLD), honoris causa) Helen Suzman’s 36-year-long career in South African politics began in 1953, when she was elected to Parliament for the first time. In 1959 she left the United Party to establish, along with 11 others, the Progressive Party, which became well known for its statements against a racially-oriented society. In the early years she focused particularly on pass laws and forced removals. Her success can be ascribed to a number of personal characteristics. She was very hardworking, always prepared herself well, and was honest and dedicated. Reference is also often made of her exceptional stamina. Furthermore, she never hesitated to hold alternative points of view or to support unpopular issues. Although she no longer is a member of Parliament, she is still far from retiring. From 1991 to 1993 she was President of the SA Institute of Race Relations, she has served on the Independent Electoral Commission and, as a member of the Human Rights Commission, made valuable contributions for many years. Although the democratic dispensation for which she had fought so long and unceasingly has dawned, she still makes herself heard. On a number of occasions she has made public statements about the high rate of unemployment, corruption, nepotism, conditions in prisons, the government’s attitude towards HIV/Aids and the manner in which the government handles President Mugabe of Zimbabwe. She has already received 28 honorary doctorates – from Oxford, Harvard, Yale and Cambridge, among others – and has twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This remarkable woman has received international acclaim for being the “conscience of apartheid South Africa”. The intellectual level of her arguments and her actions as champion for human rights allowed her to rise above political rhetoric and to cross party political boundaries. Her sustained struggle was never about Helen Suzman, but rather about the people of South Africa. Her exceptional and sustained role in the creation of a democratic human rights dispensation in South Africa deserves to be honoured. Contact Details:Mohamed Shaikh  Stellenbosch University  021 - 808-4636  shaikh@sun.ac.za Released by the Division Marketing and Communication, Stellenbosch University. For more information, contact Mohamed Shaikh at (021) 808-4636, by fax at (021) 808-3800 or via e-mail at shaikh@sun.ac.za