Tributes pour in from across the world for South African peace advocate

Tributes have poured in from across the world following the death of South African anti-apartheid activist, human rights advocate, and constitutional lawyer Nicholas Haysom, who died on Wednesday at the age of 73 after a short illness.

Haysom was based in New York at the time of his passing, where he was serving as the United Nations Special Representative for South Sudan. His career spanned decades of work in constitutional law, democratic governance, electoral reform, and peacebuilding across several conflict-affected regions.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep sadness over his passing, describing Haysom as a principled lawyer, tireless peacemaker, and steadfast advocate for the values of the United Nations.

According to UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, Haysom combined deep legal expertise with strong political judgment and a lifelong commitment to improving people’s lives.

Haysom played a key role in shaping modern South Africa, notably contributing to the drafting of the country’s post-apartheid constitution. He also served as chief legal advisor to former South African President Nelson Mandela throughout his presidency.

Mandela’s former personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, described him as a “formidable man,” noting that his legal expertise and dedication to democracy made him an invaluable ally.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also paid tribute, saying Haysom’s commitment to justice and peace helped make South Africa, the continent, and the world a better place. He urged citizens to honor Haysom’s legacy by upholding fundamental rights and promoting peace.

The Chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described Haysom as a trusted partner and a close friend, highlighting his humility, patience, and commitment to dialogue even in difficult circumstances.

Haysom’s early life and activism were rooted in his upbringing in Durban, Durban, where he grew up in a family that strongly supported racial equality. Influenced by his mother, who was an anti-apartheid activist, he became a vocal critic of apartheid while at university.

He went on to study law at the Universities of Natal and Cape Town, where he became president of the anti-apartheid National Union of South African Students. His activism led to multiple arrests, including periods of detention and six months in solitary confinement, as well as a banning order that placed him under house arrest for two years.

After the restrictions were lifted, Haysom co-founded a human rights law firm in Johannesburg, Johannesburg, where he continued his work in defense of justice and human rights.

In 1990, around the time of Nelson Mandela’s release, Haysom was invited by the African National Congress to join its Constitutional Commission, contributing to the shaping of a new democratic South Africa.

His work extended beyond South Africa to international peace efforts. He played a role in efforts to reduce ethnic conflict in Burundi, worked on peace frameworks in Sudan that eventually led to the creation of South Sudan in 2011, and was involved in conflict resolution efforts in Iraq between 2005 and 2007, addressing tensions among Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish communities.

Haysom also held senior roles within the United Nations, including serving from 2007 to 2012 in the office of then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and later working in Afghanistan between 2012 and 2016.

From 2021 until his death, he led UN peacekeeping efforts in Sudan and South Sudan, with a brief assignment in Somalia.

Beyond law and diplomacy, Haysom also made contributions to the arts. In 1987, he won the South Africa Playwright of the Year award for his play titled “The Native Who Caused All the Trouble.”

He is survived by his wife, Delphine, and their two sons, Charles and Hector, as well as three older children from his previous marriage to Mary Ann Cullinan.

TNAM

Edited By Egwu Patience Nnennaya.