Lucas Radebe toasted by UCT

Lucas Radebe, the South African soccer icon who retired from the game earlier this year, received a Master of Social Science honoris causa from UCT at the June graduation ceremony. The Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Leeds United captain - he led South Africa to two World Cups and, as unflappable central defender, was key in Leeds' revival in Europe early in the new century - was awarded the honorary degree for his humanitarian work with various educational, social and charitable initiatives in South Africa. Radebe is involved in both the Starfish Charity, which seeks to improve the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa, and the Reach for a Dream Foundation, which aims to fulfil the dreams of seriously ill children. Nicknamed "The Chief" by Leeds' fans, he became one of the most respected figures in the English Premier League and the rest of Europe over his 10 years with the club. He served as Fifa's ambassador for SOS Children's Villages, and in 2000 was the winner of the federation's Fair Play Award. And on its tenth birthday, the English Premier League in 2003 awarded him one of its Ten Seasons Awards for his contribution to the community.