ABETO Chairman Moses Musana presents the ABETO Africa Peace Award to Achmat Dangor, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO
April 14, 2010– Nelson Mandela was honoured for his contribution to dismantling the apartheid state and ushering in South Africa’s first democratic government with the first Always Be Tolerant Organisation (ABETO) Africa Peace Award.
ABETO is a non-profit organisation dedicated to furthering peaceful conflict resolution, peaceful co-existence, peace, tolerance, democracy and good governance across Africa.
The organisation, founded in 1996 in Uganda following the Commonwealth Conference held in Zimbabwe, encourages Africans to embrace a culture of peace and tolerance.
This year ABETO launched the ABETO Africa Peace Award, to recognise the contributions that Africa’s political and civil society leaders have made to peace and development on the continent.
Mr Mandela was selected as the first recipient of this prestigious award for his life-long commitment to peace, justice and equality.
ABETO Chairman Moses Musana said: “We are here today to acknowledge, recognise and thank Nelson Mandela for the selfless contributions he made to liberate South Africa from the apartheid regime.”
Musana continued: “Ours is an expression of acknowledgement of distinguished honour that we wish to present to you. It is an expression of solidarity with someone who has given his life for the liberation of his people, irrespective of colour or race. Even after becoming president of South Africa you did not cling to power; you relinquished power and office after your term ended. We consider you a living testimony to upright Africans and we hope that other leaders on this continent will emulate your example.”
Musana went on to applaud Mr Mandela for his role in the anti-apartheid movement, his work during his presidential term to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and for winning the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, among other accolades.
Since the organisation was founded it has been working to ensure that its philosophy of peace and tolerance is furthered. The NGO has developed a curriculum on peace and tolerance and has used these in a series of seminars and workshops with politicians, religious leaders, members of the judiciary, local council leaders and academics and diplomats on topical issues that affect society.
The organisation has also produced a series of publications, which furthers its work and research on peace and tolerance.
In addition to the Peace Award in 2002, ABETO launched the ABETO Diplomatic Peace Award, which recognises those diplomats who have excelled in their efforts to further the ideals of tolerance, peace, democracy and good governance.
The annual recipient of the ABETO Africa Peace Award is nominated by a panel of experts in the fields of politics, economics, education, literature, health care and social services.
Achmat Dangor, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO said: “The Nelson Mandela Foundation Centre for Memory and Dialogue welcomes the honour bestowed on its Founder Mr Nelson Mandela and we will ensure the award occupies a special place in the Centre of Memory and Dialogue.”