Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
President Cyril Ramaphosa was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations by Universiti Malaya, Malaysia’s oldest and most prestigious academic institution. The ceremony took place at Dewan Tunku Canselor, where Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak, Chancellor of the university, formally presented the award.
Universiti Malaya recognized Ramaphosa’s contributions to global diplomacy, strategic leadership, and his role in advancing international cooperation. In his acceptance speech, Ramaphosa emphasized the shared anti-colonial legacy between South Africa and Malaysia and commended Malaysia’s principled stance on global humanitarian issues, including the Gaza conflict.
The honorary doctorate marks Ramaphosa as the second South African leader to receive this distinction from Universiti Malaya, following Nelson Mandela. The award coincided with Ramaphosa’s working visit to Southeast Asia, where he participated in the ASEAN Summit and engaged in bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties. “This honour is not mine alone,” Ramaphosa stated. “It reflects the collective achievements of the South African people.”
