World marks Nelson Mandela Day

NEWS COMMENTARY ON NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY ON 18TH JULY.

On 18th July every year, the World remembers the deeds of a great icon, Nelson Mandela who impacted lives across the globe despite his own vicissitudes whiles alive. The late Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity as a prisoner of conscience, a human rights lawyer, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

In recognition of his contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, in November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18th July “Nelson Mandela International Day”. Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognises Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: race relations, conflict resolution, promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, the fight against poverty and the promotion of social justice. The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Nelson Mandela Day is an event for all to take action and influence change. In December 2015 – the General Assembly decided to extend the scope of the Nelson Mandela International Day to also be used to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society and to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance. The General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/175 did not only adopt the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, but also approved that they should be known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules” in order to honour the legacy of the late South African President, who himself spent 27 years in prison in the course of his struggle.

Speaking on Racial Discrimination, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela posited that it will forever remain an indelible blight on human history that the apartheid crime ever occurred. “Future generations will surely ask: What error was made that this system established itself in the wake of the adoption of a universal declaration of human rights? It will forever remain an accusation and a challenge to all men and women of conscience that it took as long as it has before all of us stood up to say ‘enough is enough.”…This is indeed a call to action for the human race to rise up to the occasion with alacrity anytime human rights are under attack in any form or shape everywhere. On reconciliation, he pointed out that reconciliation and nation-building would remain pious words if they are not premised on a concerted effort to remove the real roots of past conflict and injustice. It is very instructive when he noted that national security and the survival of democracy depend, above everything else, on programmes to meet the basic needs of citizens. Regarded the world over as one of history’s most inspirational figures, former President Mandela has numerous quotable sayings. He said, “The greatest glory in living is not in falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Reflecting on bitterness when he was released from jail, he said, “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”. This is a man who after his incarceration found a place in his heart to forgive and demonstrate magnanimity to his jailers when he assumed the reign of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela International Day had ten years of global support and solidarity since it was launched in 2009. This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has launched a new Mandela Day strategy, titled: ‘Mandela Day: The Next Chapter, to mark the tenth anniversary of the initiative’. In the next 10 years, the foundation intends mobilising people, governments, civil society and corporate organisations to focus on five thematic areas: education and literacy, food and nutrition, shelter, sanitation and active citizenship. As we mark the day of this great global, icon let us all play our roles by using our abilities and honour our responsibilities and obligations to effect the needed change to make the world a better place!

As the man himself puts it, “You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action.”

HAPPY NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY TO US ALL.

BY DOMINIC HLORDZI, A JOURNALIST.