Scores participate in “Journey to Freedom” march

Jul 19, 2013 News

In observance of Nelson Mandela International Day 2013 over 500 young individuals yesterday participated in Guyana’s first “Journey to Freedom” march.
Off to late start due to bad weather, the marchers assembled at the Plaza Bridge before they marched along Mandela Avenue to reach the National Cultural Centre Tarmac for a ceremony.

Balloons were let into the air to mark Mandela’s 95th birthday.

Sharing his personal experience with Nelson Mandela, Eric Phillips said that it was an honour for him to speak on the former South African leader’s birthday.
Phillips said he first met Mandela in January 1991 while on assignment for USAID.
He recounted that while at an event in South Africa, Mandela broke from the protocol of the event. “I remembered he looked around and picked out the two youngest men who were I and a guy by the name of Ed Rice who is now a four star General in the US army.”
Phillips added that he sat next to Mandela for six hours and during that time there were many questions that he asked.
“He gave very simple but deep answers and I remember asking him why he did that and he said youth is our present and youth is our future.”
He said that while Mandela was in jail for 27 years in Robben Island, he was only allowed to receive letters and see one visitor every six months.
Phillips said that one of the greatest legacies that Mandela left was that he prevented South Africa from going to civil war.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony in his brief remarks said that in the world of today things are not equal. He added that what happened in South Africa back in 1948 took a lot from citizens. He encouraged everyone to read books about Mandela’s fight against oppression.
At the end of the event, balloons were let into the air to mark Mandela’s 95th birthday.