Nelson Mandela International Day has been celebrated annually on July 18 since 2010. This is an opportunity to reflect on the life of the struggle against Apartheid and for the freedom of this important South African icon.
On this day, the UN calls on every citizen to devote 67 minutes of their time to an action of solidarity or citizenship in memory of the 67 years that Madiba spent fighting for more social justice and equality. Also, this day wants to spread the message that everyone has the responsibility to change the world at his level. In addition, this day aims to raise awareness of the bad conditions of prisoners in prisons because Mandela spent 27 years of his life in prison.
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in South Africa, at that time a British colony. At birth, Nelson Mandela was named Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela. His father was head of the Madiba clan and a member of the Thembu dynasty, a division of the Xhosa, the second largest cultural group in South Africa. On his first day of school, he was renamed with an English name “Nelson”, a common practice in the segregationist system.
Nelson Mandela is excluded and marginalized by his skin color. However, he has privileges by his royal blood and relationships. He joined the only school that accepted blacks and then obtained a law degree at university.
In 1943 he became a member of the African National Congress. His ambition is to build a more just society and fight segregation. In 1948, the national party established the apartheid: the strict separation in the public and private space of black and white people.
In 1955 he participated in the elaboration of the Charter of Freedom, a plea for equality among all South Africans.
Faced with the bloody repression of peaceful protests, he decided to integrate the military branch of the CNA.
He was arrested in 1962 for sabotage against public and military installations in his fight against the apartheid regime. He is sentenced to life in Robben Island. It became the symbol of the struggle for black freedom in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was finally released in 1990.
With the President of the Republic F. W. De Klerk, he sealed the end of the apartheid in South Africa. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. The following year, after the first multiracial elections, which were won by the ANC, Mandela became the first black president of the South African state. He works for the democratic transition, peace and the image of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela passed away in 2013, but his fight and ideals are still alive. Indeed, despite the abolition of segregation, there are still strong racial inequalities. For example, in South Africa, whites earn on average 3 times more than blacks.
Prunelle CONSTANT
Prunelle is a French Praxis volunteer involved in the International Nelson Mandela Day