Die sekretarisse‐generaal van die Verenigde Nasies en Suid‐Afrika

Abstract

The definition of the functions and duties of the Secretary‐General under the Charter of the United Nations would often seem to be unreal when considered against the hard realities of international politics which the four incumbents of this position had to face in the 29 years of the Organisation. The Secretary‐General is the only organ of the UN continuously in “session”, the only diplomat not dependent on instructions. The political power which he exercises is qualitatively very different from that wielded by other politicians. To a certain extent the Secretary‐General's strength lies in the fact that he is powerless, hence he cannot act on behalf of a particular political group. As such he is actually the confidant of every single member state.

To date each of the four Secretaries‐General in the history of the UN has had his own particular interpretation of and approach to his task and function. The dispute between the UN and South Africa on the latter's internal policies since 1946, is one of the most striking examples of the differences in the interpretation of his role of each Secretary‐General.