President Ramaphosa; UN Chief Guterres, mourn passing of Nicholas ‘Fink’ Haysom
“Today we mourn a distinguished diplomat and a pioneer of our democratic administration whose commitment to justice and peace made our country, our continent and the world a better place". - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the passing of former chief legal advisor to President Nelson Mandela, human rights lawyer and United Nations representative Nicholas ‘Fink’ Haysom.
Reports say Haysom passed away on Wednesday 18 March, at the age of 73, and Ramaphosa extended his condolences to his family and friends, his former colleagues in The Presidency and government as well as his associates on the continent.
Haysom served as chief legal and constitutional advisor to President Mandela from 1994 to 1999. He chaired a committee that negotiated constitutional principles in the Burundi Peace Process under Mandela.
He was a mediator and advisor in the Sudan Peace Process and served the United Nations in different roles, including as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, Somalia, and South Sudan. He also headed the UN Mission in Iraq.
President Ramaphosa said: “Today we mourn a distinguished diplomat and a pioneer of our democratic administration whose commitment to justice and peace made our country, our continent and the world a better place.
“I remember him for applying his legal acumen, mentorship, wisdom and integrity to the development of our Constitution – attributes that underscored his role in peace-making on our continent and in other world regions.
“As we commemorate Human Rights Month, we pay tribute to Fink for his dedication to human rights and the dignity of all people in all the parts of the world where his guidance was deeply respected and sought-after.
“We reflect on the rich breadth of his life of law, scholarship and creativity, which established him as a writer and, in 1987, as South African Playwright of the Year.
“We are obligated to honour his contribution to our nation and the international community by upholding the fundamental rights and maintaining the peace he advocated so passionately and eloquently.”
The UN also said in a statement on Wednesday it mourns the loss of Haysom who became a tireless champion of crisis diplomacy for the UN in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Haysom expressing his deep sadness at his passing and described him as a “tireless peacemaker and steadfast champion of the values of the United Nations.”
“Mr Haysom devoted his life to justice, dialogue, and reconciliation,” the UN chief said, from his central role in South Africa’s democratic transition to ‘years of leadership in UN posts in some of the world’s most complex and fragile settings.”
Guterres said Haysom always combined deep legal insight with sound political judgement - focused always on improving the lives of ordinary people wherever he served.
“The United Nations mourns the loss of a remarkable colleague, friend and mentor. The legacy of Nicholas Haysom will endure in the peace processes he advances, the institutions he strengthened, and the principles he helped bring to life around the world,” he said.
©Higher Education Media Services.