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Mandela 'leader of the century'
12/10/2000 07:14 - (SA)
London - Former South African president Nelson Mandela and Cold War-era Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space,were honoured here on Wednesday as world leader and woman of the century.
Each year the "International Women of the Year Association" honours a female personality for her achievements.
This year, the 45th annual gathering, the association decided for the first time to also honour a man and to choose laureates for their contribution to the last century.
Tereshkova, 63, attended the ceremony, where she was named "Greatest Woman Achiever of the Century," and thanked the association for honouring her.
She made her historic 70-hour space flight aboard the Vostok-VI on June 16, 1963, after being picked from 1 200 candidates. It was Tereshkova's one and only journey into space, but sealed her place in the annals of space history and the women's movement.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, "her unsurpassed successes in the cause of equality, exploration of the outer space
for the benefit of peace, and protection of the planet's ecology" made her the association's unanimous choice. She now has a moon crater named after her.
Tereshkova now heads the Russian Government's Centre for International Scientific and Cultural Co-operation.
Mandela was honoured as "World Leader of the Century".
"By his own example he has taught humanity that hatred and revenge can be transformed into forgiveness, acceptance and positive action," Mandela's citation read.
"I am honoured to have the citation read by General Tereshkova who has established the equality of women and men in space," Mandela said on receiving his prize.
Some 500 high-profile women attended the lavish lunchtime ceremony at London's Cafe Royal.
Speakers at the event included feminist writer Germaine Greer, fashion designer Mary Quant and pop singer Joan Armatrading.
The event was attended by men for the first time in the association's 45-year history, "in recognition of the fact that excellence had no gender".
The women named pollution as the greatest threat to the world over the next 100 years. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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