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"We will miss him dearly."

Pöttering offers his sympathies to Nelson Mandela

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Dear Mrs. Machel,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences to you, your family and the South African people on the death of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela which fills me and all members and staff of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung with great sorrow.

With Nelson Mandela, the Republic of South Africa and the whole world have lost an exceptional personality and an outstanding statesman. We will miss him dearly. His achievements as the first democratically elected president of the South African nation will not be forgotten. For decades Nelson Mandela fought against the Apartheid regime, with ardent strength and personal commitment. His profound legacy of forgiveness and reconciliation will endure for many years to come. He led the way as a shining example following the spirit of “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.” In this manner, Nelson Mandela substantially contributed to South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy. He will always be remembered in history by generations to come as a symbolic figure for the conquest of racial segregation and for the unification of all South Africans. As Germans and Europeans we share with the South African people the admiration for Nelson Mandela’s commitment to peace and unity while rejecting the use of violence.

On behalf of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and on my personal behalf I wish to express my utmost respect and my sincere gratitude for Nelson Mandela.

With deepest sympathy, Yours sincerely,

Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering MEP

Chairman of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. and

Former President of the European Parliament

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