this demeans an honorary degree - they should be just be reserved for very special people who have made a very real difference to the world like nelson mandela who has a cupboard full of them which is great

a) he had a degree anyway
b) he changed the course of history for the better
c) everyone can learn something from Mandela - he is a lesson to humanity
d) he has a noble peace prize

can the other recipients fufil his above criteria?
if not no honorary degree... they can work and pay for it like the rest of us.
the money for these ceremonies should be spent on scholarships

finally Happy 89th Birthday to him yesterday...
this is his CV
http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=3961