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TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady has today (Friday) written to the President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Sdumo Dlamini to express the sadness and condolences of the British trade union movement over the death of Nelson Mandela.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady has today (Friday) written to the President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Sdumo Dlamini to express the sadness and condolences of the British trade union movement over the death of Nelson Mandela.

Frances O’Grady said: “It is with great sadness that the British trade union movement mourns the death of Nelson Mandela – a hero and inspiration to us all.

“Nelson Mandela’s greatest triumph was to be the personification of the idea that we can change the world.

“We must redouble our commitment to the cause of equality, justice and freedom that he fought and campaigned for all his life.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Letter from TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady to COSATU President Sdumo Dlamini

It is with great sadness that I write to express the sadness and condolences of the British trade union movement at the death of Nelson Mandela, a hero and inspiration to all of us.

The TUC, and the six million members of our affiliated unions, share your grief and sorrow at the loss of such a great leader and outstanding human being.

We must, on this occasion, redouble our commitment to the cause of justice, equality and freedom that he fought and campaigned for all his life, and we send COSATU our continuing solidarity and comradeship.

Please pass our condolences to all of your fellow leaders and members who knew Mr Mandela so well, and also, of course, to his family and many friends.

I am copying this letter to the South African High Commissioner in the UK, to whom we will be extending any assistance we can in celebrating the life of Mr Mandela and mourning his passing.

Amandla!

Frances O’Grady

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

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