“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
July 18 is the birth anniversary of one of the more important figure of modern world history. Can you guess who it is? The answer is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Mandela has been such an inspirational figure that July 18 was designated Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009 through a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly.
What was so important about Mandela? Let’s take the facts first: He fought against apartheid in South Africa and was imprisoned for 27 years. After being released from prison, he stood for elections and became South Africa’s first Black President. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and has been the subject of films and documentaries like Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013); Mandela (1996); Invictus (2009) and The 16th Man (2010).
But there must have been more than this to have his birthday celebrated across the world. The answer to this lies in the quote with which this article begins. In 2008, calling upon youngsters to work towards addressing social injustice, Mandela said, “It is in your hands to make of the world a better place.” This year, the campaign calls for people to devote 67 minutes of their time to help make the world a better place. Why 67 minutes? The answer is one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service. He began to campaign for human right for every South African in 1942.
After he was set free, Mandela was the key figure in the negotiations between the African National Congress, the government and other political parties to put an end to apartheid and establish a government in which all could participate equally. Finally in 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial parliamentary elections. When Mandela was elected as President, he appointed FW de Klerk, a conservative politician from the National Party, as his deputy.
During his term, Mandela formed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights and political violations between 1960 and 1994. Many programmes were introduced to improve the living standards of the Blacks. He also helped enact a new Constitution that was based on majority rule and prohibited discrimination.
As President, Mandela’s focus was to improve the relationships between the various races in the country and to stop Blacks from taking revenge for all that they had suffered during the years of apartheid. To this end, he called all South Africans to support the national rugby team, which was predominantly Arikaner, during the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa. He said his country was “a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.” Even after he stepped down as President, Mandela continued to work for social justice. He formed many organisations like the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Elders (a group of public figures who spoke about global issues), spoke about the need for AIDS awareness and treatment.
By observing Mandela Day, we not only celebrate his life, but also call on people across the world to recognize that they can have a positive effect the lives of others. It is also a day to reaffirm our commitment to values like democracy, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and tolerance. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela
wrote: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate and, if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
What you can do
Get to know someone from a different cultural background. This will help overcome intolerance and xenophobia.
Spend time with someone who is old, alone or ill. Read to them or just chat with them
Help at the local animal shelter.
Help someone who can’t afford it get a medical, eye or dental check up.
Donate a wheelchair or guide dog to someone in need.
Buy blankets or clothes and give them to someone in need
Donate books to the local library or to a local school