Exactly 25 years ago tomorrow, on the 11th of February, our late former President Nelson Mandela walked out of the Victor Verster prison as a free man after twenty seven years of imprisonment.
This day therefore marked a giant leap in the long walk to freedom, not just for Nelson Mandela but also for the people of South Africa as a whole. It was indeed a momentous occasion and a major milestone not only for us in the liberation movement but for South Africans in general, the resistance movement in the continent and the world over.
This day continues to represent the beginning of a special period in our country when outstanding patriots from both the democratic movement and the then apartheid regime affirmed the real possibility to create a united and non-racial society based on democratic values and the rule of law. It is a reminder to all of us of our innate capacity as South Africans to overcome even the most daunting challenges and ensure the triumph of good over evil.
Quite heroically, when President Mandela walked out of those prison doors, he did so not armed with anger and desire to avenge his painful experience as some in our country and beyond would have expected; he chose instead to preach forgiveness and reconciliation because he correctly understood as Mahatma Gandhi so aptly put it that "an eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind."
We continue to be inspired by this teaching of forgiveness and national reconciliation as the cornerstones of the society envisaged by our forebears which is being at peace with itself and with the world. We must draw lessons from the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela to build true social cohesion where all our people, black and white, can truly feel at home in the country of their birth which is South Africa.
Indeed we celebrate this day because the release of Nelson Mandela marked yet another decisive milestone in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality. The significance of February 11 lies in the fact that it set in motion a series of events which made it possible for us to achieve the democratic breakthrough of 1994. Beyond this, February 11 marked a decisive advance towards the achievement of our noble goals to create a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society based on fundamental human rights and the restoration of dignity for all.
In remembrance of this day and indeed in memory of our icon, Tata Nelson Mandela, let us all redouble our efforts towards the creation of the society he envisaged in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
