South Africa refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the event . A presidential spokesman had said earlier that the Dalai Lama -- Tibet 's spiritual leader and a Nobel Laureate -- did not receive a visa because it was not in South Africa 's interest for him to attend . Spokesman : Not in South Africa 's interest for him to attend . Comment:
South Africa refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the event . Spokesman : Not in South Africa 's interest for him to attend . Comment: