Ms President,
My delegation is again honoured to address this body on the occasion of giving effect to the resolution that pays tribute to Nelson Mandela’s legacy. On 18 July 2009, millions of people from across the globe will come together to give 67 minutes or more of their time in community service, their actions inspired by the life's work of Nelson Mandela.
It took a, now 92 year old man from a rural village of South Africa that gave 67 years of his life to make a positive change in the world. Nelson Mandela took it upon himself to give up his career and freedom and dedicate his life to the fight against apartheid and social injustice. South Africa and indeed the world are fortunate to have a person like Nelson Mandela to have sown the seed of change.
It was through his and many others' endless tireless and courageous efforts and commitment that today every South African can live in a free and fair South Africa. In his last speech as President of the South Africa said “I have reached that part of the long walk when the opportunity is granted, as it should be to all men and women, to retire to some rest and tranquillity in the village of my birth.
As I sit in Qunu and grow 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, on my continent and in the world, which 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 that any should be stripped of their human dignity as we were.
I will continue to hope that Africa’s renaissance will strike deep root and blossom forever, without regard to the changing seasons. Were these hopes to translate into a realisable dream and not a nightmare to torment the soul of the aged, then will I, indeed have peace and tranquillity.
Then would history and the billions throughout the world proclaim that it was right that we dreamt and that we toiled to give life to a workable dream.”
Ms President,
This has been the battle cry and life goal of Mr Mandela and it comes as no surprise that given the distance we still have to travel in realising these hopes and aspirations, "peace and tranquillity" was not afforded to this retiree who continues to seek the improvement in the lives of the most vulnerable in society through the activities of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
The realisation of the dream will require the participation of everyone. Similarly, through the Mandela Day initiative, individuals are called to take responsibility for changing the world into a better place by contributing 67 minutes of their time not only on 18 July but to go further and make everyday their Mandela Day.
As former President Clinton stated during his recent visit to South Africa that "we cannot all spend 27 years in prison as Nelson Mandela did, but we can all reach out in the cause of our common humanity". Mr Mandela inspired and brought hope not only to millions of South Africans but also to oppressed peoples across the world who have claimed him as an icon of peace, reconciliation, democracy and justice. Whether it be poverty, diseases or the fight right to for basic education for all, it is in our hands to carry on fighting, until the battle is won.
Ms President,
When world leaders developed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, they gave hope for the realisation of this dream which reflected and resonated with the vision of Mr Mandela. The upcoming Review Summit on the MDGs thus gives yet another opportunity to the World Leaders to redouble efforts and commitments to the realisation and achievement of the agreed goals in the next five years. Just a few days ago the world witnessed the closing ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup that was hosted for the first time on African soil. This too was a dream of Mr Mandela to bring the Soccer World Cup to Africa. This hope did not translate into a nightmare, as many had predicted but it blossomed into a realisable dream which was achieved in his lifetime.
We thank FIFA and the international community for their support. The potential and unity unleashed by this sporting event is a clear illustration of Africa’s determination not only to host major sporting events but also contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. It is our hope that every one of us will, through our individual actions and contributions on Nelson Mandela International Day and every day, form part of that cadre of leaders and individuals who would ensure that Mr Mandela's hope will translate into a realisable dream and not a nightmare to torment the soul of the aged.
It only takes one person to sow an idea of change in the minds of a group of individuals. It only takes small efforts of a group of people to start a revolution. It takes a nation to change the world.
In conclusion, Ms President
Let us nurture a culture of helping one another. There are millions of people in the world who need a helping hand. Show you care and do what you can to make a positive change in someone's life.
Thank you.
Source: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
