Johannesburg, South Africa — 2026-03-20 Tributes pour in from across the world for South African peace advocate. Renowned South African anti-apartheid activist, human rights campaigner, and constitutional lawyer, Nicholas “Fink” Haysom, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 73 following a brief illness. Haysom, who was serving as the United Nations special representative for South Sudan, had a profound impact on democratic governance, constitutional and electoral reform, and peace building throughout his career.
UN secretary — general António Guterres expressed his sorrow over Haysom’s death, highlighting his contributions as a principled lawyer, tireless peacemaker, and steadfast champion of the UN’s values. Farhan Haq, Guterres’ deputy spokesperson, noted Haysom’s ability to combine legal insight with political judgment and unwavering dedication to improving people’s lives. Haysom also served as Nelson Mandela’s chief legal advisor during Mandela’s presidency.
Mandela’s former personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, remembered him as a “formidable man” whose legal expertise and commitment to democracy were indispensable. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Haysom’s dedication to justice and peace.
The African Union chairperson, H.
E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed sadness at Haysom’s passing, describing him as a trusted partner and dear friend.
Youssouf highlighted Haysom’s humility, patience, and belief in dialogue during challenging times.
Haysom grew up in Durban in a family that advocated for racial equality. His university years saw him become an anti-apartheid critic and later a law student at the Universities of Natal and Cape Town.
He became president of the anti — apartheid National Union of South African Students and faced arrest or detention multiple times.
After Mandela’s release in 1990, Haysom co-founded a human rights law firm in Johannesburg. He later joined Mandela’s Constitutional Commission and contributed to ending ethnic discord in Burundi and Sudan, which eventually led to South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
Haysom’s career also included serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he worked on community reconciliation.
From 2007 to 2012, he was director for political, peacekeeping, and humanitarian affairs in then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s office. His life was not solely dedicated to law; in 1987, he won the South Africa Playwright of the Year award for his play “The Native Who Caused All the Trouble.
” Haysom is survived by his wife Delphine and their two sons, as well as three older children from his previous marriage.
Further details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
