Remembering Nelson Mandela

Categories:

• Politics
• Heroes
• Peace
• Solidarity
• Society

by Rosa Ruiz

Posted on July 18, 2018

The legacy of the South African political leader and Nobel Peace Prize remains as an example of the struggle for equality, democracy and human rights. Mandela overcame hatred and reconciliation to her country.

Since 2009, every year on 18^th July is celebrated the International Day of Nelson Mandela, established by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a tribute to the late political leader and former president of South Africa for his contributions to democracy, equality and peace.

Mandela (1918-2013) devoted more than 67 years of his life to defending human rights in his country and faced as an activist the Apartheid, system of racial segregation of the black population that took place in South Africa between 1948 and 1994 and for which he was imprisoned for 27 years (1963-1990).

After his release from prison and after an intense non-violent resistance struggle, in 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize. A year later, in 1994, he became president of South Africa in the first democratic and free elections held in that nation. He held the post until 1999 and during his tenure, he insisted on setting aside vengeance against his executioners and on working for the reconciliation and integration of all South Africans.

This 2018 is 100 years since his birth and 5 years after his death, which is an opportunity to recall some of his phrases that continue to be a positive reference for humanity.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice”.

“It is so easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.

The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”.