Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela celebrates 88th birthday
This story appeared in the Transworld News and bears repeating:
The man credited with ending apartheid and bringing democracy to South Africa was the center of praise as media and dignitaries celebrated Mandela’s birthday on Tuesday. South African president Thabo Mbeki expressed gratitude and hope for the man he succeeded in 1999.
Opting to forgo any public appearances on his birthday, Mandela chose to spend it quietly with family in Qunu part of the Eastern Cape province. The man affectionately referred to as ‘grandfather’ is marking his eighth anniversary with wife Graca Machel as well.
Having retired from public life in 2004, Mandela now concentrates on social issues effecting Africa. Chief among these, the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison for what amounted to charges of sabotage and treason. He refused an offer of conditional release for renouncing armed struggle in 1985 and remained in jail until international pressure resulted in his freedom in February 1990.
Upon his release Mandela maintained his ties to the African National Congress (ANC) and he delivered a speech to the nation declaring:
“Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle.”
South Africa’s first true democratic election was held in 1994 and Mandela, as leader of the ANC, was inaugurated as the country’s first black State President. Mandela served as president from 1994-1999 during which the country moved away from minority rule and apartheid.
Mr. Mandela reminds me of this quotation by L. Ron Hubbard:"Single men and determined groups have been the only makers of space in which man could walk free."