Nelson Mandela – A Global Statesman

Jul 21, 2012 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic 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.”
These are the words of one of the world’s greatest living statesman. Born on July 18, 1918, he dedicated his entire life to the overthrow of the hated apartheid system in which Blacks and Coloreds were relegated to the bottom of the social ladder by a minority white elite. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 after graduating with a degree in law in 1942. He was charged for treason but was acquitted in 1961.
After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC after it became clear at the time that the white-dominated administration was not prepared to listen to the wishes of the vast majority of South Africans who yearned for a democratic and just society and one free from the bondage of minority racist rule. In June 1961, the ANC Executive considered his proposal on the use of extra-parliamentary forms of struggle and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela’s campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC.
This led to the formation of a military wing within the ANC. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, he along with other ANC leaders were brought to stand trial for plotting to overthrow the government by force. His statement from the dock received considerable publicity. On June 12, 1964 eight of the accused, including Mandela were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison and thereafter at Poolsmoor Prison on the South African mainland.
During his years in prison, Mandela’s reputation grew rapidly. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gained momentum. He consistently refused to denounce his political convictions in order to obtain his release.
Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he plunged fully in the political struggle with renewed vigour until victory was finally attained.
In a message to commemorate his life and work, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon drew attention to the fact that Mandela gave 67 years of his life to bring change to the people of South Africa. “Our gift to him can, and must be to change our world for the better.”
‘Today, I join the Nelson Mandela Foundation in urging each and every one of us to perform 67 minutes of public service on Nelson Mandela International Day- one minute for each year of Mandela’s remarkable service to humanity,’  he said.
‘Tutor a child; feed the hungry; care for your environment; volunteer at a hospital or community centre. Be part of the Mandela movement to make the world a better place. That is the best way to wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 94th birthday. It is the best way we can thank him for being such an inspiration to us all,’ the Secretary General said.
He wished Mandela a happy birthday and noted that he has been a lawyer and a freedom fighter; a political prisoner; a peacemaker and president; a healer of nations and a mentor to generations of leaders and people from all walks of life throughout the world.
Take action; inspire change; make every day a Mandela Day, Ban Ki-moon urged.
There are so many people in the world today who are influenced and inspired by Mandela, including some who were his former adversaries. His ability to forgive and let bygones be bygones has endeared him to millions of people in his own country and across the globe.
One of the first things he did when he assumed political office was to set up a truth and reconciliation commission with a view to healing past wounds so that the entire society could throw past baggage away and move on to build a new South Africa. Despite being jailed, tortured and harassed by the previous apartheid rulers, he did not seek revenge but instead sought to involve as many of the key players in the new ANC-led government.
Mandela has showed that there is a better way than that of confrontation and adversarial politics. Thanks to his wise and matured leadership, South Africa is today one of the emerging economies in the world.
It is not coincidental that the ANC and the PPP have established close friendship over the decades. The PPP from its very inception gave solidarity to the cause of a free and liberated South Africa and participated actively for Mandela’s release from prison.
Such was the nature of the relationship that the ANC conferred on the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, South Africa’s highest national award, which was received on his behalf by PPP General Secretary and now President of Guyana His Excellency Donald Ramotar.
Hydar Ally

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