King Sabata, who died on Zambian soil in 1986 fleeing for his life, is the first traditional leader to receive the Ubuntu Honour. The honour coincided with the 20th anniversary of the reburial of his remains.  Boutros-Ghali is the first African to lead the world body.  Says Sonwabile Mancotywa, Chief Executive of the National Heritage Council, “It is befitting to present the King with the highest honour of humility for his consistent humanitarian spirit to selflessly serve his people and the community of South Africa throughout the oppressive systems”. King Sabata has emerged amongst other Kings and Traditional Leaders of his time, as a humble leader who not only identified with the struggle of his people but sacrificed his life, to endure the struggle, for the emancipation and freedom of his people. These are the values of Ubuntu that King Sabata Dalindyebo embodied and embraced unconditionally throughout his life.  

The Ubuntu Honour is conferred upon one person annually in the international category. It is awarded to global icons whose lives are an example of the positive values of humanity, a lifestyle conduct that is simply known as 'Ubuntu' in South Africa.

Dr Boutros-Ghali follows Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda and Fidel Castro as recipients of the past three years since the inception of the Ubuntu campaign.

Ubuntu is an ancient African philosophy that the NHC has embraced as part of this country’s heritage that it seeks to revive in order to forge a nation building agenda that is intercultural. This is especially important for a society that has a divided past but is willing to build a future together”, adds  Mancotywa. The NHC is integrating the teachings of Ubuntu in schools, prisons, public policy and daily life to restore the values of Ubuntu as a daily lifestyle in society.

The cultural spectacle where an estimated crowd of 2000 guests from as far as Egypt, the home of Boutros-Ghali, gathered at an Imbizo 'a gathering of people' and celebrated until late in the evenig despite the rain.