This my friends is apartheid. According to the oxford dictionary apartheid is 'discrimination or separation on the grounds of race'. The white people and the black people of South Africa were separated by the colour of their skin.
One man acquired the strength to break the chains of apartheid and lead his country, bloodlessly, to freedom.
Ladies
and gentlemen....this man was Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela was born in
South Africa during a time where apartheid ruled supreme.. He stepped up his anti government activities
after the Sharpeville massacre where the police shot and killed 69 unarmed
protesters, mostly in the back as they were running away.Interestingly, around this time, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to prison. This was an attempt to silence him. He spent 27 years, over 1/4 of his life doing hard labour on Robbins Island; an island prison 7 km off the coast of Capetown.
He was kept in solitary confinement in a room 8 foot square, a bucket for his toilet, a mat on the floor his bed, stout bars blocked his way to freedom. His days were spent breaking blocks with a sledge hammer.
On four separate occasions, Nelson Mandela was offered his freedom on condition he stop challenging the government....But listened to his conscience and stood strong for what he believed in.
His release in 1990 meant freedom for all black South Africans; as finally they were able to democratically elect him their leader.
Everyone thought that South Africa would go into civil war with thousands dead and blood on the streets but Nelson Mandela chose peace.
He urged peace and reconciliation instead of revenge and bitterness. For his efforts, in preventing civil war, he received the Nobel peace prize. How could any of us question his eligibility for such a prestigious award?
But unlike so many other African leaders who cling to power, after just one term in office, Nelson Mandela gave up the presidency. He wanted someone younger to take the presidential seat. Once again he showed that he had both humility and integrity.
Nelson Mandela was an inspiration the world over. Why?
He was highly principled and fought for what he knew was right.
He urged peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Finally, he was a inspiring yet modest leader. One we can all learn from.
Nelson Mandela died last year...one of the truly great citizens of the 21st Century.
His words still echo today in the following quote:
"I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days." Nelson Mandela 1918-2013
