Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Statement of ILO Director-General Guy Ryder on the death of Nelson Mandela
5 December 2013
Today, a country, a continent and the entire world are united in grief as we mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela, a truly exceptional human being. Personally, and on behalf of the International Labour Organization, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and my deepest sympathies to the people and the Government of South Africa.
We have lost a champion of freedom, of tolerance and of dialogue. With grace, humility and dignity he towered above us all in his pursuit of peace and social justice. The world has been enriched by his passion, his commitment, his perseverance, his integrity and, above all, his humanity.
Nelson Mandela was fearless as he stood up for freedom, equity and dignity in the struggle against apartheid.
In 1990, the ILO was privileged to welcome Mr Mandela, then Vice-President of the African National Congress, to the 77th Session of our International Labour Conference. He thanked delegates for their support in the struggle against the apartheid regime and declared: “All of us on Robben Island and other jails could hear your voices demanding our release very clearly. We drew inspiration from this." He asked that we “walk the last mile together”. We were honoured to have played a small part in his journey.
In 2007, the ILO awarded him its first Decent Work Prize and he spoke of decent work as “the right not only to survive but to prosper and to have a dignified and fulfilling quality of life”.
As we grieve for Mr Mandela we also celebrate the life, the wisdom and generosity of spirit that was so humbling. He will be a lasting source of inspiration.
We have lost a champion of freedom, of tolerance and of dialogue. With grace, humility and dignity he towered above us all in his pursuit of peace and social justice. The world has been enriched by his passion, his commitment, his perseverance, his integrity and, above all, his humanity.
Nelson Mandela was fearless as he stood up for freedom, equity and dignity in the struggle against apartheid.
In 1990, the ILO was privileged to welcome Mr Mandela, then Vice-President of the African National Congress, to the 77th Session of our International Labour Conference. He thanked delegates for their support in the struggle against the apartheid regime and declared: “All of us on Robben Island and other jails could hear your voices demanding our release very clearly. We drew inspiration from this." He asked that we “walk the last mile together”. We were honoured to have played a small part in his journey.
In 2007, the ILO awarded him its first Decent Work Prize and he spoke of decent work as “the right not only to survive but to prosper and to have a dignified and fulfilling quality of life”.
As we grieve for Mr Mandela we also celebrate the life, the wisdom and generosity of spirit that was so humbling. He will be a lasting source of inspiration.