UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon
The United Nations (UN) has described Nelson Mandela, the late South African Leader as someone who proved that UN resolutions, sanctions and solidarity can win over violence and injustice.
His extraordinary compassion after 27 years in prison showed that human rights and equality are stronger than discrimination and hate.
The Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, said this at the UN headquarters, New York on the fifth celebration of Nelson Mandela Day, which falls on July 18 each year.
Commenting on the significance of the Day, the Secretary General said it is a call to action, saying that “Each of us can celebrate this Day by helping to address real problems in our communities”.
Recalling that the planet and its people still face terrible threats in the form of poverty, discrimination, climate change, conflict and more, he concluded that “Together, we can give great meaning to our celebration by paving the way for a better future”.
On his part, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. John Ashe, referred to current challenges facing mankind in the form of political conflicts, human deprivation and tolerance, and said “We cannot give in to despair and despondency because each inspired action of service, kindness or generosity will bring us closer to the realization that if we give our all we can strive for a better tomorrow”.
Explaining that this was what Mandela stood for, Mr. Ashe called for inspired action that will bring light, positivity and hope to the world.
Nelson Mandela, the prisoner-turned-President who reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, died on Thursday, December 5, 2013. He was 95 and touched the world by his service to humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, promotion and the protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children.
Source: ISD (R. Harry Reynolds, Ghana Mission, New York)
