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."

© 2003 CWC