Tag: Internationalnelsonmandeladay

Nelson Mandela International Day 2021

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”

Nelson Mandela

Introduction

July 18th every year is observed as the Nelson Mandela International day ever since 2009. Nelson Mandela’s full name was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and he was also known as Madiba. He was born on July 18, 1918, in South Africa and died on December 5, 2013. He was a Black Nationalist and is popularly known as the first Black president of South Africa. He is also known for his negotiations in the 1990s with the then South African President F.W. de Klerk which helped in ending the apartheid system in the country. Later in 1993, both, Mandela and de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

Life

Nelson Mandela studied law at the University of Witwatersrand. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and became the leader of its Youth League. He established the first black law practice in 1952 in Johannesburg, his focal cases were of racial segregation. He was a part of drafting the Freedom Charter, a document demanding nonracial social democracy, in 1955. Because of actions against the apartheid legislation, he became a target and was banned and arrested on charges of treason in the year 1956 but was acquitted in 1961.

He was trained in guerrilla warfare and sabotage in 1962 but the same year he was arrested again and was sentenced to five years in prison. After the trial where he made his famous speech “I Am Prepared to Die”, he was sentenced to life imprisonment only narrowly evading the death penalty. During this sentence, he was held at the Robben Island Prison off Cape Town. He was released under the government of President de Klerk on February 11, 1990, soon after which he was made the deputy president of the ANC, he then became president of the party in 1991.

Mandela won the first elections by universal suffrage and also was sworn as the president of the first multiethnic government. In 1995, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which’s work was to investigate human rights violations that took place during the apartheid. He then resigned from ANC in December 1997. He didn’t seek a second term and transferred the presidency to his successor in 1999. He established the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 1999 through which he kept working as an advocate of peace, reconciliations, and social justice.

Mandela and Gandhi

Mandela had said that Gandhiji was his role model and that he inspired him to lead South Africa on its journey of independence. He was also sometimes referred to as the “Gandhi of South Africa”. Although both of them did not meet each other, yet some similarities can be noticed such as, both emphasized moral power being a force to reckon with. Both of them were lawyers and spent time in Johannesburg’s old fort prison although it was during different years, Gandhiji in 1906 and Mandela in 1962. It is also said that during Mandela’s 27 years at the Robben Island prison, he was in the room full of books of Gandhiji, where he spent time meditating and reflecting to rid his soul of the bitterness. It was a big coincidence that two of the most inspiring world leaders had a connection to South Africa.

Conclusion

The theme of Nelson Mandela International Day 2021 is One Hand Can Feed Another. Everyone should take some time out to read about Nelson Mandela’s journey and then read about issues of violence and security around the world to understand better and play our part in the fight to make the world more peaceful.

References

International Nelson Mandela Day 2021!

Why do we celebrate this day and its significance, his life and theme for 2021.

‘This day is also known as 67 Minutes Mandela Day, as for 67 years he fought for social justice.

The theme for 2021 Nelson Mandela International Day is “One Hand Can Feed Another.”

To further this recognition of his legacy, the month of July is also unofficially recognized as “Mandela Month” in South Africa.

About Nelson Mandela:

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was also a statesman and philanthropist. Influenced by Marxism, he secretly joined the banned South African Communist Party (SACP). Although initially committed to non-violent protest, in association with the SACP he co-founded the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961 and led a sabotage campaign against the government. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1962, and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state following the Rivonia Trial. Mandela served 27 years in prison

He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.

Over the course of his life, Mandela was given over 250 awards, accolades, prizes, honorary degrees, and citizenship in recognition of his political achievements. Among his awards were the Nobel Peace Prize, Bharat Ratna, the Soviet Union’s Lenin Peace Prize, and many more. Within South Africa, he was widely considered “The Father of the Nation” and “The Founding Father of Democracy.” Worldwide, he was regarded as a “Global Icon” and was described as “One of the most revered figures of our time” by Rita Barnard.

In the 1950s, he was elected as the leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress (ANC) liberation movement. He first resorted to peaceful protests. But he was met with violence by the government, he went on to support an armed movement. Mandela was an important symbol for the oppressed in South Africa who were fighting for their rights. He was extremely instrumental in tearing down the oppressive government and laid the foundation of democracy.

He started the Nelson Mandela Foundation to combat HIV or AIDS, support educational and rural development. In 2009, the United Nations proclaimed July 18th to be International Nelson Mandela Day. On this day, people are asked to spend 67 minutes doing something good for others, which represents all the 67 years he spent working towards change.

The 1st UN Mandela Day was held on 18th July 2010.

WHY ?

We celebrate this day to remember his struggle and contribution to the world which helped to pave a path for growth from the 20th – 21st century. It is a movement for all of us to renew and imbibe the values that inspired Nelson Mandela.

 "It is easy
 to breakdown and destroy.
  The heroes are those
 who make peace and build."
                                                              - Nelson Mandela

Things to do:

  • Learn about human rights!
  • Get acquainted with what you can do to fight alongside communities you most connect with.
  • Read about what inspired Nelson Mandela and the steps to took to fight injustice.
  • Talk with NGOs nearby you and find out how can you help the cause they are working on.
  • Talk to the friend you miss!
  • Find shelters, volunteer, or contribute food, amenities to help our beloved furbabies!!
  • Take a minute and appreciate everything that made you who you are.
  • Look into your strengths and use them to give back to the world.
  • Never underestimate the words, actions that you put out in the world! You matter!

Refences:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela

https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-nelson-mandela