25 Sep 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi on September 24 joined leaders from across the globe to pay tribute to South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela during an event dubbed Nelson Mandela Peace Summit at the United Nations General Assembly.

President Masisi said the late Mandela’s lifelong mission in pursuit of unity, human dignity, peace and stability for the betterment of humankind remained an inspiration and clarion call for all as the world is grappling with challenges that confront humanity today.

He said as he was celebrated, his sacrifice and the legacy of peace he bequeathed to future generations should be remembered.

“Today we bask in the very freedom that he has fought for with gusto and we can truly honour him by jealously guarding the freedom we so greatly enjoy,” said the President.

He said Botswana as a founding member of the frontline states that sought to end apartheid and white minority rule in Southern Africa made a modest contribution to the liberation struggle.

Again, he said Botswana provided safe haven and assisted the freedom fighters in any way possible and sometimes with repercussions from the apartheid regime.

“We tactfully and skillfully defied the ultimatums issued to us as we fully understood that none of us could be truly free when our brothers and sisters next door remained under the shackles of the oppressive regimes,” he said.

Mr Masisi said Batswana remained humbled that their country was the first that Mandela visited in 1962 in his quest for international support for the liberation struggle and again upon his release from prison in 1990.

He noted that ‘Botswana fully endorses the Mandela Peace Summit Declaration as it is an honour befitting an exceptionally great man and one of the greatest leaders who lived a purpose-driven life, which touched and enriched many directly and indirectly.’

Earlier on, UN Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterress described Mandela as one of humanity’s great leaders who embodied the highest values of UN.

Mr Guteress said Mandela was a profound influence for peace and democracy beyond South Africa’s borders, having played a key role in Burundi in brokering the Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.

“As this year marks UN’s 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is also almost exactly 20 years ago that Mandela spoke in the UN hall,” he said.

He said human rights were under growing pressure around the world and the UN would be well served by reflecting on the example of Mandela.

Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa, expressed hope that the summit named after the greatest exemplars of humanity would serve as a new dawn for the UN.

“It is SA’s hope that the summit will rediscover the strength of will to save successive generations from war and to overcome hatred for a common vision of being peaceful and prosperous,” said Mr Ramaphosa.

The widow of Mandela, Ms Graca Machel thanked the UN Secretary General for dedicating the 73rd UNGA to celebrating his husband’s legacy.

She said the summit provided opportunity to reflect and reason on Mandela’s legacy as a freedom fighter and peacemaker and she urged leaders across the globe to emulate Mandela by addressing conflicts in the world. ENDS