Order of Good Hope for Jürgen Schrempp
In 1998, Jürgen E. Schrempp was honoured with a special award: the Order of Good Hope was presented to him by the president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate recognised Schrempp's continuing commitment to South Africa with the highest civilian accolade a foreign citizen can receive. The medal with a green and yellow ribbon has been awarded since 1973, and other holders include Queen Elizabeth II.
Presentation ceremony in Baden Baden
The Order of Good Hope was presented to Schrempp in Baden Baden, where Nelson Mandela also received the German Media Prize. It was an honour for Schrempp to be allowed to deliver the laudatory speech to Mandela in the presence of such important leaders as the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder.
In his speech, Schrempp paid tribute to Nelson Mandela's long struggle for freedom and human rights. He "not only changed South Africa, but the entire world," said the then chairman of the board for DaimlerChrysler. Mandela "did not change South Africa with weapons, but with words," he "established a democracy without bloodshed" and is thus a "man of peace and reconciliation."
After his reply to the laudatory speech, Nelson Mandela presented Schrempp with the Order of Good Hope as an official gesture of appreciation for his work in South Africa.
Videos
Part 1: Laudatory speech
Jürgen E. Schrempp
Part 2: Reply
Nelson Mandela on receiving the 1998 Media Prize
Part 3: Presentation
Nelson Mandela presents the Order of Good Hope to Jürgen E. Schrempp