“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”, Nelson Mandela. The 18th of July is Nelson Mandela International Day, and it is a very especial occasion to remember that this amazing man was who fight to the elimination of South Africa’s system of legalized racial discrimination known as apartheid. But why is it so important to remember him and his legacy? Because we need to continue fighting against the racial discrimination and support social movements as the #BlackLivesMatter. We still have a long way to go, and we must continue to work towards effective equality for all human beings.
Nelson Mandela is a great reference and a man who inspires us to be better people, he was the 1st Democratically Elected President in South Africa, and we are going to tell you a little about his story. He was born on July 7, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa, and he became to politician, activist and lawyer who dedicated his entire life to fighting apartheid to achieve equality in his country.
In the middle of the 20th century, the black population began to protest and demand equal rights. In response, in 1948 the South African government promoted apartheid as a political system, which meant legalizing racism. Nelson Mandela, who had decided to move to Johannesburg, joined the African National Congress (ANC). With others, Mandela founded the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
Nelson Mandela is a great reference and a man who inspires us to be better people, he was the 1st Democratically Elected President in South Africa, and we are going to tell you a little about his story. He was born on July 7, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa, and he became to politician, activist and lawyer who dedicated his entire life to fighting apartheid to achieve equality in his country.
In the middle of the 20th century, the black population began to protest and demand equal rights. In response, in 1948 the South African government promoted apartheid as a political system, which meant legalizing racism. Nelson Mandela, who had decided to move to Johannesburg, joined the African National Congress (ANC). With others, Mandela founded the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
It launched the “Defiance” Campaign in 1952, a massive civil disobedience campaign against unjust laws, and Mandela was elected National Volunteer-in-Chief for the campaign. After many campaigns to obtain equal rights in South Africa, Mandela was one of 156 accused in the Treason Trial. Finally, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was released.
Mandela, or Madiba who his people called him, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his commitment to human rights. A year later, in 1994, he would become the first black president of South Africa and would mark the end of apartheid. April 27, 1994 was the 1st Multi-racial Elections in which the entire South African population, black and white, could participate. Nelson Mandela passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 95 in 2013.
Nelson Mandela is an example of how we must continue working to achieve a world without racial discrimination, where regardless of your skin color you can have a full life. In addition we can remember other black references such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X… Nowadays we also have some amazing influencers like Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or Lebron James. We need to continue fighting against racism, because all together we are stronger. “We stand here today to salute the United Nations Organization and its Member States, both singly and collectively, for joining forces with the masses of our people in a common struggle that has brought about our emancipation and pushed back the frontiers of racism”, Nelson Mandela.
Mandela, or Madiba who his people called him, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his commitment to human rights. A year later, in 1994, he would become the first black president of South Africa and would mark the end of apartheid. April 27, 1994 was the 1st Multi-racial Elections in which the entire South African population, black and white, could participate. Nelson Mandela passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 95 in 2013.
Nelson Mandela is an example of how we must continue working to achieve a world without racial discrimination, where regardless of your skin color you can have a full life. In addition we can remember other black references such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X… Nowadays we also have some amazing influencers like Barack and Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or Lebron James. We need to continue fighting against racism, because all together we are stronger. “We stand here today to salute the United Nations Organization and its Member States, both singly and collectively, for joining forces with the masses of our people in a common struggle that has brought about our emancipation and pushed back the frontiers of racism”, Nelson Mandela.
IRIA TORRES GUTIERREZ AND JESÚS ROSADO VÁZQUEZ
Iria and Jesús are a Spanish volunteer in Praxis organisation involved in the Nelson Mandela International Day.
