Bacher gets honorary law degree from Wits University
Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2003, today received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg
Rodney Hartman
30-Nov-2001
Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of the ICC Cricket World Cup in South
Africa in 2003, today received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the
University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
"It is no exaggeration to say that he is today the best-known cricket
administrator in the world," the citation noted.
The honorary doctorate was conferred on him by Prof Norma Reid, the
vice-chancellor and principal, during a Health Sciences graduation ceremony
in the university's Great Hall.
Dr Bacher graduated as a medical doctor from Wits University in 1967 and
practised medicine for a decade before becoming South Africa's first
fulltime cricket administrator and the United Cricket Board's first managing
director.
The university said Dr Bacher had been central to the momentous changes in
SA cricket. "His role ... was often controversial, but throughout he was
guided by an abiding concern to protect and promote the game he loves."
In his acceptance speech, Dr Bacher said it had been his privilege to be
exposed to some truly great South Africans, among them Nelson Mandela,
Desmond Tutu and Thabo Mbeki, and was immensely struck by their spirit of
genuine reconciliation and complete willingness to forgive their previous
oppressors.
"In this way they gave white South Africans, including myself, the
reassurance that we had a real future in a non-racial democratic South
Africa. What a lesson that was to me, to all of us."
He implored young South Africans to stay in this country and build a strong
and healthy nation. "My heartfelt appeal to you is that you understand that
the destiny of this country lies in your hands. I ask you not to leave this
country, but rather build on what you have already achieved, remain
staunchly committed to South Africa and ensure that together we build a
prosperous and successful and peaceful country."