The German Democratic Republic has awarded Nelson Mandela the 'Star of International Friendship' in gold, on the occasion of his 65th birthday, which took place last year.
The award was handed over to Comrade President O R Tambo by Erich Honecker, Chairman of the State Council of the GDR, and Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). The ceremony was held in Berlin, in the house of the Central Committee, on 27th August .1984.
The GDR state leader reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners incarcerated in South Africa's dungeons. He submitted comradely greetings to all South African patriots who are determinedly waging a courageous struggle against the obnoxious apartheid regime.
President Oliver Tambo, receiving the award on behalf of Nelson Mandela, expressed deep gratitude to the GDR for its active solidarity with the just struggle of our people against apartheid, and underlined that this high award will for ever remain a great encouragement for Nelson Mandela and all other imprisoned patriots of South Africa.
The awarding ceremony was the highlight of the meeting between President Tambo and Erich Honecker, a meeting that was held in an atmosphere of friendship and cordiality.
Erich Honecker informed the ANC leader about the active efforts of Party and government of the GDR, together with the Soviet Union and other Socialist countries, to solve the most important problems of the present time—to prevent the outbreak of a nuclear war and to secure peace in the world. The GDR leader assured our President of the continued support and solidarity of the GDR with the people of South Africa under the tested leadership of the African National Congress.
President Tambo briefed Erich Honecker about the growing militancy of the oppressed South African people, which manifests itself in numerous mass activities against the so-called constitutional reforms of the Botha regime and its hated Bantustan policy, about the growing African trade union movement, and the effective strikes taking place throughout the country. The President stressed that the racist regime has not abandoned its anti-human and war-mongering aims inside the country and against the neighbouring states in the region.
Erich Honecker and Oliver Tambo strongly condemned the policy of confrontation and rearmament of the most reactionary forces of imperialism, which is dangerous, not only for the peoples of Europe but for the whole of mankind. They confirmed the traditional, close relationship existing between the SED and the
ANC in their common anti-imperialist struggle to maintain peace against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism and apartheid.
They both stressed the importance of the efforts of the Front-Line States and the liberation movements in Southern Africa to strengthen their unity and co-ordinate their struggle against the apartheid regime so as to defend the interests of of the peoples and states in the region. They expressed their conviction
that the international struggle against the apartheid regime and the world-wide solidarity with the liberation movements of ANC and SWAPO will further increase.
President Tambo conveyed best wishes to the Central Committee, to the government of the GDR and to its people, for further big successes in the construction of socialism and the excellent preparation for the 35th anniversary of the founding of the GDR.