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Nelson Mandela

Making a Difference

World Health Organization : Year 2002 ; ... (by Nelson Mandela)
Story of an African Farm, The (by Schreiner, Olive)
The Story of an African Farm (by Schreiner, Olive)

Nelson Mandela International Day, which will be held on July 18th 2017, commemorates Nelson Mandela’s dedication and service to South Africa, as well as other people and cultures of the world.

The anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state.

The day, which is observed on Mandela’s birthday, began in 2009 as a way of honoring this leader and former lawyer’s contributions to humanity. Born in 1918 in the village of Mvezo, Transkei, Mandela grew up listening to stories during the wars of resistance and was inspired to make a difference.

In a struggle against white supremacy, he became involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics and joined the African National Congress (ANC) in the 1940s. When the National Party’s white-only government established apartheid’s system of racial segregation that benefitted whites, he and the ANC committed to its overthrow.

In 1962, he was arrested for conspiring to overthrow the state and sentenced to life imprisonment. During that period, he became a point of inspiration and a symbol for the oppressed. After serving a 27-year sentence, Mandela was released in 1990.

Mandela helped negotiate an end to apartheid and organized the 1994 multiracial general election in which he became President. He emphasized reconciliation between the country’s racial groups and set forth on a mission to investigate past human rights abuses. He later gained international acclaim for his activism and is regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice.

After retiring from politics in 1999 until his death in 2013, Mandela remained committed to promoting peace and social justice.

Nelson Mandela International Day aims to inspire others to make their own contributions to public service. “It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all,” said Mandela.

Beyond asking others to work towards eradicating poverty and making other contributions to humanity, this day aims to generate awareness and momentum for this movement toward positive change and helping others. Those who would like to share the benevolent actions of themselves or others are encouraged to do so on social media. #ActionAgainstPoverty, and World Report on Violence and Health forward written by Nelson Mandela

For more reading on Nelson Mandela, explore Mandela: The Authorised Biography. Other examples of South African literature include The Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner, and the articles Cry, the Beloved Country and Too Late the Phalarope, both by Alan Paton.

By Regina Molaro