Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in a small town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) and the struggle for the liberation of his people in 1944. He quickly rose through the ranks of the ANC and was instrumental in the establishment of the ANC Youth League and Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation), the armed wing of the ANC.
While facing the death penalty during the Rivonia trial (accused of sabotage) his words to the court became immortalised.
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
After serving 27 years of this sentence he was finally released from prison on 11 February 1990, nine days after the unbanning of the ANC. In 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize with FW de Klerk, the then president of South Africa. The two of them guided a deeply divided country through a peaceful transition to democratic rule. It was a miracle that saved many lives.
On 27 April 1994, Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in his life and was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President on 10 May 1994.
Nelson Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. Despite terrible provocation, he never answered racism with racism. His life is an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived; and to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.
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He died peacefully at his home in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013.
Every year on 18 July, the day of his birth, South Africans celebrate Mandela Day. The idea is to offer at least 67 minutes of service to your fellow citizens on this day. 67 is the number of years that Nelson Mandela offered in service of his country before he retired. South Africans embrace this day with great enthusiasm as the man for whom it is named embraced all of us.
This year Nelson Mandela would have been 100 years old and Mandela Day promises to be extra special. Africa Food for Thought, the charity with whom I work to feed more than 18 000 children on a daily basis, will be offering some exciting activities to fill 67 minutes significantly for people. I know most of you are too far away to participate but I will let you know what we will be doing anyway. It will be your opportunity to share in Mandela Day from afar. Watch this space!
If you want to know more about Africa Food for Thought check this old post of mine out.
I hope that your country does not have a history filled with the abuse, bloodshed, strife and pain that my country experienced as a result of 'apartheid'. But if it does not, it also does not have an icon like Nelson Mandela. Terrible times and great injustices will bring forth the best of men.
In South Africa, there will never again be a Nelson Mandela. I pray that there will never again be a need for a man like him!
Please share with us your thoughts on Nelson Mandela? Do you know about him? What do you know?
