“It is easy to break down and destroy it.
The heroes are those who make peace and build.” – Nelson Mandela
The General assembly of United Nations declared officially in November 2009 “International Nelson Mandela Day”.
Other groups began celebrating on 18th July 2009, but the first united nations Mandela day was on 18th July 2010. July 18 is the birthday of Mandela.
This day is not meant for a public holiday but in the honor of the legacy of the former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
He showed how can the power of an individual change the world. He made a global impact through volunteering and community service.
He fought against an apartheid system and always thirsty to deliver justice for the people.
History : Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18th July 1918 in the Thembu Royal Family in Mvezo, South Africa.
In 1930, when he was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni.
At the age of 95, he died on 5th December 2013.
He studied law at the University of Fort Hare and University of Witwatersrand after that he worked as a lawyer in 1952 to 1959, and fight against apartheid running over their country.
In the year 1962, he imprisoned for attempting to overthrow South Africa’s apartheid rule.
After 27 years of imprisonment in Robber island, pollsmoor prison and victorverster prison, he released by the president F.W de Klerk of South Africa.
So many peoples were supporting Mandela and doing a rally for release of Mandela. So, F.W de Klerk released him and stopped the civil racial war.
Then after the apartheid system of the country ended. Mandela and Klerk jointly awarded Nobel prize for Peace in 1993 for their efforts in the apartheid system of racial segregation and ushered in a peaceful transition to majority rule.
In 1994 multiracial general election he became the 1st African to be elected in fully representative democratic polls. From 1994 to 1999 he served the country as a president.
Through his lifetime he found and joined many organizations showing the power of individual and how one can make a difference and change the world. 67 years he fought and named internationally.
He also served as the president of the African National Congress from 1991 to 1997. Since 1942 he has had an international effect when he 1st started to campaign for human rights.
About celebration of the day!
- Activities like volunteering, art, education, music, sport and culture are done by many people and organizations all over the world to promote Nelson Mandela day.
- So many events take place to fulfil the desires and to promote Mandela’s achievements.
- A campaign was launched known as “46664” to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in honor of Mandela day. 46664 is Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. 46664 is a series of AIDS benefit concerts between 2003 to 2008 played by south Africans and foreign musicians.
- “67 Minutes for Mandela Day” is a celebration call. Each minute for each year Mandela fought for social justice for 67 years.
Nelson Mandela’s Later Years and Legacy
In the wake of leaving office, Nelson Mandela stayed a gave champion for harmony and social equity in his own nation and around the globe.
He built up various associations, including the powerful Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Elders, an autonomous gathering of open figures focused on tending to worldwide issues and facilitating human misery.
In 2002, Mandela turned into a vocal supporter of AIDS mindfulness and treatment programs in a culture where the plague had been shrouded in disgrace and obliviousness.
The ailment later killed his child Makgatho (1950-2005) and is accepted to influence a greater number of individuals in South Africa than in some other nation.
Rewarded for prostate malignant growth in 2001 and debilitated by other medical problems, Mandela became progressively delicate in his later years and downsized his timetable of open appearances.
In 2009, the United Nations proclaimed July 18 “Nelson Mandela International Day” in acknowledgement of the South African pioneer’s commitments to majority rules system, opportunity, harmony and human rights far and wide.
Nelson Mandela kicked the bucket on December 5, 2013, from common lung contamination.
Famous quotes of Nelson Mandela
1. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”- Nelson Mandela
2. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
3. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
4. “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
5. “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.”
6. “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
7. “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
8. “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
9. “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
10. We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. – Huffington Post
Summary: Nelson Mandela Day
Mandela Day is marked around the world on July 18 to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela, the late president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Nowadays due to the COVID-19 pandemics the Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with the Imbumba Foundation and the Kolisi Foundation helping people by the hashtag #Each one feed one.
They are calling to South Africans to show humanity unitedly and donate food to the food distribution network.
Celebration of this day is not about the celebration of Mandela’s life; it has a significance of global calls to action a positive environment and effect around them.
Mandela proved as a human being how one can utilize his power to give a better environment to live.
To embrace the values like freedom, equality, reconciliation, respect etc. Mandela inspires us. Thanks for reading
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Very well written about Nelson Mandela
Thank you, Mahima for your support.