AFRICA DIARY
100
# LiveHisLegacy
MANDELA BIRTH CENTENARY
Nelson Mandela International Day , declared by the United Nations in 2009 , has become an occasion to celebrate the South African leader ’ s life and legacy and follow his example to make the world a better place . Celebrated each year on Mandela ’ s birthday , July 18 , this year ’ s Mandela Day was indeed momentous because it marked 100 years since the birth of the international icon , who died in 2013 at the age of 95 .
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela , fondly referred to as Madiba , became a legend in his lifetime . In a survey done some years ago in which photos of renowned people in the world had to be named , Nelson ’ s photo was , by far , the most recognised as compared to any other leader or icon . Nelson Mandela was regarded as one of the world ’ s greatest leaders despite having been imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island on charges of treason before being freed . His prison number , 46664 , is known throughout the world and serves as a symbol and a reminder of a great man who unified South Africa .
While delivering the Nelson Mandela Centenary Lecture on his 100th birth anniversary at the India International Centre , Shiv Shankar Mukherjee , former Indian envoy to South Africa , said , “ It took an " extraordinary man " like Nelson Mandela " who dedicated his life to the emancipation of his people from the jackboot of the oppressor " to bring South Africa to where it is today .”
One of the 20th century ’ s most prominent freedom fighters , Nelson Mandela emerged from nearly three decades in prison to become South Africa ’ s first Black president and help his country shift to a post-apartheid regime . While the Nobel Peace Prize winner gained eminence for defeating white minority rule in South Africa , Mandela also acted on a variety of other social causes . Among them : pushing for women ’ s rights , delivering better opportunities for impecunious rural children and endorsing scientific research throughout Africa — on top of serving as a symbol for civil rights movements worldwide .
" What made apartheid truly evil and unique is that it took de facto discrimination on a racial basis and made it de jure ", Shiv Shankar Mukherjee said .
Bringing up the ' infamous ' 1963 Rivonia trial , which marked the beginning of Nelson Mandela ’ s 27-year imprisonment , the envoy quoted Mandela ’ s words :
“ Why is that in this courtroom I face a white magistrate , I ’ m confronted by a white prosecutor , and escorted into the dock by a white orderly ? Why is it that no African in the history of this country has ever had the honour of being tried by his own kith and kin , by his own blood and flesh ,” the fierce leader had asked the magistrate .
48 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018 , Noida