South African lawyer turned international diplomat Nicholas “Fink” Haysom (73) died in New York, on Wednesday 19 March.
A United Nations (UN) tribute has it the world body mourns the death of a man who went from advising Nelson Mandela in the early days of democratic South Africa as chief legal advisor until 1999 to becoming a tireless champion of crisis diplomacy for the UN in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It notes further he had a long international career with a focus on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reforms, reconciliation and supporting peace processes.
His UN service included stints as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Southern Africa and for South Sudan. In the world’s newest country he headed UNMISS (UN Mission in South Sudan), his last foreign deployment ahead of returning to New York. He was also Special Representative and head of UN Missions in Somalia and Afghanistan.
From 2007 to 2012, he was Director for Political, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and from 2005 to 2007 he headed the Office of Constitutional Support for the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described Haysom as “a tireless peacemaker and steadfast champion of UN values” who devoted his life to justice, dialogue, and reconciliation from a central role in South Africa’s transition to democracy to years of leadership in UN posts in some of the world’s “most complex and fragile settings”.
The Guterres tribute also has it Haysom always combined deep legal insight with sound political judgment – focused on improving the lives of ordinary people wherever he served.
“The UN mourns the loss of a remarkable colleague, friend and mentor. The legacy of Nicholas Haysom will endure in the peace processes he advanced, the institutions he strengthened and the principles he helped bring to life around the world.”
Those who worked with him in South Sudan were glowing in their praise for him.
An UNMISS tribute has it: “As the top UN official in South Sudan, Haysom was steadfast in his conviction that the international community stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of South Sudan in their journey of nation building. He was committed to advancing a peaceful, inclusive and democratic transition for the country, one that placed the aspirations and welfare of its citizens at the very foundation”.
“Haysom remained true to the ideals that shaped his early years, firmly believing that the will of the people must be the fulcrum upon which South Sudan shapes its political destiny.
“These ideals were rooted in his upbringing and education in South Africa, where he left an indelible imprint as an anti-apartheid activist and lawyer upholding human rights. It is this lifelong passion for justice that fuelled his dedication to public service, democracy, and the rule of law.
“Haysom’s principled leadership, wisdom, diplomatic skills and unwavering commitment to a brighter future for South Sudan inspired not only UNMISS peacekeepers, but the communities we serve and all those whose lives he touched.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was another who expressed sorrow and condolences at Haysom’s death saying in a message the human rights lawyer turned diplomat served South Africa as Chief Legal Advisor to former president Nelson Mandela before representing the UN in “diverse roles”.
“We [South Africa] 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,” a Presidency tribute reads with Ramaphosa quoted as saying he “remembers 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 for 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.”
On a more personal level, Zelda la Grange, Mandela’s private secretary during his presidential term, called Wednesday “a sad day for the world,” writing it is “poorer for the loss of Professor Fink Haysom”.
Her tribute reads further: “What a formidable man and legal counsel he was to Nelson Mandela during the Presidential years. A constitutional law expert who lived for democracy”.
“One of those people Madiba depended on long after he stopped working for him. Whenever Madiba didn’t have the appetite for long winded process he would leave it to Fink to resolve. During the Burundi Peace process Madiba greatly relied on Fink to negotiate as his proxy with complete confidence in his ability and attitude towards the matter.
“Very few people in SA and Africa can claim to have done more for peace on this continent, than what Fink Haysom did.”
Daily Maverick reports he is survived by his wife, five children and two sisters.
