They ·simp"ly expressed his· visicin for a democratic, non-racial· _soci_ety. and for an end to the suffering and indignities that the apartheid system had imposed cm his people. I ... A/AC.115/SR.641 English Page 3 (The Secretary-General) 7. No other human rights situation had caused so much concern and so much distress to the United Nations as that of apartheid. The issues at stake struck at the very heart of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For apartheid, as a system, embraced the uprooting of people from their homes, mass deportations, the denial of equal rights before the law, of citizenship or of proper education, and the imposition of harsh, repressive and unjust practices based solely on race. 8. He was glad that the current Government in South Africa had committed itself nationally and internationally to dismantling apartheid and had already embarked on measures to bring that about. The United Nations would watch with great interest the nature of those measures and the pace at which they were instituted. However, such a dramatic change would not have come about but for the great courage and perseverance of the people of South Africa, as symbolized by Nelson Mandela. Even though his long years of detention had robbed them of his physical presence and leadership, the people had drawn strength from his unswerving commitment to the defeat of apartheid, in their struggle against that iniquitous system. 9. In welcoming Mr. Mandela to the United Nations he welcomed, at the same time, Mrs. Mandela. As a young mother, she had been called upon to take up daunting national responsibilities at great ·personal risk. She was tO b·e respected for her courage and stead.fastness. 10. Nelson Mandela was now called upon to be One of· the main architects of a new 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, welcoming Nelson Mandela to the organization. The text focuses on the issues of apartheid, human rights, and the struggle for a democratic and non-racial society in South Africa. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is an official document. Given the content and tone, it is likely that the text falls under the category of human rights or humanitarian issues.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Human rights