MANILA, Philippines March 25
Former South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded on Thursday the Philippine Congress' highest decoration for being one of the world's "greatest political and moral leaders."
His granddaughter, Nandi Mandela, received the Congressional Medal of Achievement on his behalf in a ceremony at the residence of House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
"We are honoring Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest political and moral leaders ... for creating a nation founded on reconciliation and fraternity of white and black people, and for his heroic role in leading the African National Congress that fought apartheid and fought for human rights and equality for the black peoples of the world," de Venecia said.
The same award has also been given to Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization head Jacques Diouf, and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Nandi Mandela said her 85-year-old grandfather had "sacrificed a lot to make peace in South Africa."
She said he hadn't been able to accept the award in person because he had another engagement.
South Africa will mark the 10th anniversary of the formal end of apartheid on April 27, about two weeks after national elections in which President Thabo Mbeki is seeking a second term.
Nandi Mandela said unemployment and HIV/AIDS are her country's biggest problems now.