ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu thanked the people of Wales for helping to end Apartheid in a speech he gave at Bangor University.
Today, Archbishop Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, was awarded an honorary degree to mark the university's 125th anniversary together with Sir David Attenborough, First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Professor Sir John Meurig Thomas.
The prestigious ceremony heard how each of the honorands were leaders in their chosen fields and how each man had made enormous contributions to science, politics, world peace and freedom.
Sir David Attenborough was the first to receive his degree and told the audience that it was during his childhood holidays on Anglesey that he became fascinated by wildlife and the divers bird life.
After receiving his degree the First Minister spoke of the academic qualifications of his family in particular his father and brother who were both professors as were several of his cousins.
"All I have is a very chancy job as the First Minister which might only last a few months," joked Mr Morgan.
"I actually never attended my own two degree ceremonies when I received my BA and MA and thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to discuss climate change with Sir David Attenborough and to ask Archbishop Tutu who is going to win the test series in South Africa," he said.
In the musical interlude Hogia'r Ddwylan sang Hallelujah in Welsh followed by the South African national anthem which Sir David sang along to.
The audience heard how Sir John Meurig Thomas was influenced by the life and work of Michael Faraday and had risen to be a "world class scientist".
Archbishop Tutu was introduced by Lord Davies of Abersoch who described him as one of the world's most influential spiritual leaders and activists on peace and freedom.
"He became the voice of the voiceless black people of South Africa and is one of the great public figures of modern times," said Lord Davies.
"He has helped the fight against Apartheid and has helped to change the course of history. His stature is unassailable and he's not a bad dancer," he said.
In his speech the Archbishop said the university had been asking for a "modern miracle" by asking him to be brief.
He paid compliment to the choir describing them as the "top drawer" and joked about Wales' chances of beating South Africa in the rugby. On a more serious note he thanked the people of Wales for helping to end Apartheid and defeat oppression in his country.
"I have always had a very soft spot for Wales especially because in the last few days when we were struggling against Apartheid I was invited to go to Merthyr Tydfil who gave me the freedom of their town," said the Archbishop.
"Thankyou for helping to open the prison doors so that Nelson Mandela could walk free," he said.
Rhodri Morgan said it made the hairs on the back of his neck "stand up" when he heard the Archbishop thanks the people of Wales.
"In 1964 I joined the Anti-Apartheid movement and I was at a vigil in Llandaff Cathedral when Nelson Mandela was sentenced," said Mr Morgan.
"It's nice to know that people in South Africa were aware of our support here in Wales," he said.