President Mandela speaks in Geneva at TELECOM 95

摘要

As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was a strong supporter of ITU. Speaking on 3 October 1995 at the opening ceremony of TELECOM 95 in Geneva, he recognized ITU as a body of crucial importance for the entire African continent. With his customary humility, President Mandela explained that South Africa was deeply honoured by the invitation to take part in the opening ceremony of TELECOM 95, the seventh World Telecommunications Forum and Exhibition - and the very first in which South Africa was participating as a full member of ITU. He saw that participation as a testament to ITU's steadfast support of his country's struggle for freedom. "On behalf of the people of South Africa, we thank you for your solidarity, and express our joy at being so warmly accepted as a full and equal partner in the all-important world of telecommunications", he said.