Kondolansebrev etter Desmond Tutus bortgang

Kondolanse fra statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre til Sør-Afrikas president Cyril Ramaphosa etter Desmond Tutus bortgang.

Dear President Ramaphosa

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I would like to convey my deepest condolences on the death of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu.

Desmond Tutu had a unique moral authority and played a significant role in the fight to dismantle the apartheid regime in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts. Norway and Norwegian civil society had the opportunity to cooperate closely with Desmond Tutu over many decades, in particular during the struggle against apartheid. As Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he was instrumental in bringing to light the horrors of the apartheid regime, but also in laying the foundation for peace and reconciliation in a divided nation.

I personally had the pleasure of meeting Bishop Tutu on several occasions, at church services in Soweto in 1986 and in many meetings in and outside South Africa. His commitment, empathy and strong sense of justice made a lasting impression. 

It is our hope that Desmond Tutu’s outstanding contribution to peace and human rights for all will continue to inspire the world.

Please convey my heartfelt sympathy to the people of South Africa and to Desmond Tutu’s family.

Yours sincerely

 

Jonas Gahr Støre

 

HE Mr Cyril Ramaphosa

President of the Republic of South Africa

Pretoria