My tribute to Nelson Mandela

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank those of you who paid online tributes or other tributes to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the first black President of South Africa and an all-round hero in the struggle for human rights, who sadly died on 5 December this year.

I know that his legacy, his courage, his perserverance against South Africa's despicable apartheid regime, and his ability to forgive will be remembered for many generations to come.

I thank the Green Party once again for paying tribute to his hard work.

I must say,however, that it is a pity that since Thabo Mbeki (who was later succeeded by Jacob Zuma, current President of South Africa) took over from Nelson Mandela, that the ANC has neglected some of its fighting legacy in some ways, which partly explains why there is still grave levels of inequality in South Africa, as well as high rates of HIV/AIDS infection (although to be fair, many other nations are also affected by this problem), and also corruption within much of the ANC's leadership.

What must be remembered is that the struggle for human rights and equality goes on, and many of us in Britain and elsewhere in Europe are facing a great struggle of our own, that against the divisive neoliberal policy known as austerity-which affects most of us regardless of race, gender, disability, or other factors. If we keep perservering together against austerity, I know that we together can overcome it, just as the ANC overcame South Africa's apartheid regime.

 So, readers, remember Nelson Mandela, his struggle against racism, what he went through, and what he achieved not only for black South Africans but for others across the world, for as long as you live.

 Posted in memory of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July 1918, who departed this long walk of life on 5 December 2013, aged 95 years.



 


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