A TRUE ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: TRIBUTE TO NELSON MANDELA contained in the Declaration. Today, we celebrate the fact that this historic document has survived a turbulent five decades, which have seen some extraordinary developments in the evolution of human society. These include the collapse of the colonial system, the passing of a bipolar world, breath taking advances in
“I quoted Mandela’s speech on the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the United Nations because in it, there is hope that Tata Madiba expressed. He was convinced that he leaves behind a calibre of cadres in this country, in this continent and in the world, who will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were; that any should be turned into refugees as we were; that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were.”
science and technology and the entrenchment of the complex process of globalisation. And yet, at the end of it all, the human beings who are the subject of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights continue to be afflicted by wars and violent conflicts. They have as yet not attained their freedom from fear of death that would be brought about by the use of weapons of mass destruction as well as conventional arms. As I sit in Qunu and grow as ancient as its hills, I will continue to entertain the hope that there has emerged a cadre of leaders in my own country and region, in my own continent and the world which will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were; that any would be turned into refugees as we were; that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were; that any should be stripped of their human dignity as we were.” I have quoted at length from our First President of a Democratic South Africa, Tata Mandela, as a reminder of how he thought about freedom and justice for all. It is also a reminder of the failures that we still have, albeit the advances in science and technology that globally we have made. It is also a reminder at how he felt that the human beings who are at the centre of the Declaration of Human Rights remain victims of violent wars, and how they continue to go hungry without food amidst plenty in the world. It is this quest for human rights that moved Mandela to leave the comfort of his Royal Household to join the struggle for liberation. He understood that when we respect each other’s right to humanity we can live in peace. His beliefs on the universality of human rights saw him speak against those who oppress others. He spoke against those who continued to fuel wars and conflict. He chose to work for peace amongst nations and his society. He believed in dialogue and negotiation in resolving
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problems. It is this belief that saw him forgive his oppressors and thereby liberating them. Mandela understood that our struggle for freedom was waged by both men and women. He therefore believed that the struggle for women’s emancipation was as important as the struggle for freedom and the attainment of human rights for all. In 1995, President Mandela had this to say when he declared 9 August as a national holiday in South Africa honouring the women of our country: “We have declared this day a national holiday. This is in celebration of the struggles of the women over the decades and a rejuvenation of our commitment to strive for a society free of all kinds of discrimination, more especially discrimination against women. The Constitution writing process is well underway. As a tribute to the legions of women who navigated the path of fighting for justice before us, we ought to imprint in the supreme law of the land, firm principles upholding the rights of women. The women themselves and the whole of society, must make this a prime responsibility.” It is in part befitting that as we celebrate Mandela’s centenary, we also celebrate Mama Albertina Sisulu’s centenary who is one of those legions of women that Mandela referred to in his speech on 9 August 1995. A freedom fighter in her own right, who through her nursing career was moved by the plight of women and children in our country and dedicated her life in creating a better life for all in our country and the world. Common amongst these two noble souls was their quest for a world that honoured its children. Mandela’s life and times reminds us of the need for solidarity amongst nations because he understood the need for the impact of collective activism for change; he knew how solidarity with those who are less privileged in our society can move
their struggles to greater heights, because he and the South Africa community benefited from the solidarity of many nations in order for our country to be free. In his own words, he said: “The road we have walked has been built by the contributions of all of us. The tools we have used on that road have been fashioned by all of us. The future we face is that of all of us.” I quoted Mandela’s speech on the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the United Nations because in it, there is hope that Tata Madiba expressed. He was convinced that he leaves behind a calibre of cadres in this country, in this continent and in the world, who will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were; that any should be turned into refugees as we were; that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were. Seated here, are the future leaders that Madiba believed would not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were; that any should be condemned to go hungry as we were. It is with humility that I stand in front of you today to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day 2018. In conclusion, as we move out of this celebration let us be the legacy and learn from Mandela. Let us always remember his words to us when he said: “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” This article is based on a speech given by Hon. Angela Thoko Didiza, MP, (South Africa) to young leaders at a celebration event for Nelson Mandela International Day at the South African Mission in Kenya on 18 July 2018. Nelson Mandela International Day 2018, designated by the United Nations, marked 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela and was an occasion to reflect on his life and legacy.