On Nelson Mandela’s International Day

By Imadu Imadu  

In every generation in human history, there is always a gap that only the bigger shoes and the larger hearts of the heroes, and indeed, the heroines can fill; otherwise, society degenerates to a blind kingdom where everybody gropes along aimlessly without leadership and inspiration.  

In recent history, the uncommon bravery and humanist activism of Nelson Mandela towards the cause of global freedom and justice is one legacy of the departed hero that must not only be acknowledged, but must also be celebrated, replicated and sustained by the succeeding generations. 

In recognition of Mandela’s remarkable contributions towards engendering and sustenance of the culture of peace, justice and freedom in the world, the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 by Resolution A/RES/64/13 declared July 18 every year as Nelson Mandela’s International Day. The day which coincides with his birthday was first celebrated in 2010. 

Interestingly, Nelson Mandela’s Day is marked annually not only to celebrate his life and legacies, but has now evolved to a global movement that is intended to inspire a new generation of activists that will dare to tear down the brick walls of oppression, injustice and racial discrimination ravaging the world. 

The theme for this year’s event is, Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are. Indeed, the theme signposts that a global movement that can metamorphose to positive change begins with little actions taken by individuals or groups on daily basis. It also suggests that everyone has the inherent capacity to take positive actions that can inspire change in the world. 

Although the call for action like in previous celebrations remains the same, Nelson Mandela’s Foundation is dedicating 2022 Mandela’s Day to community development, fruits and indigenous tree planting, and creating awareness between intersections between food security and climate change. 

Popularly referred to as Madiba, Nelson Mandela was a South African freedom fighter, nationalist, statesman, an international bridge- builder, a prisoner of conscience, and a dogged revolutionary who devoted his entire life to the service of humanity. 

Driven by the noble values of freedom, justice, equality, compassion, selflessness and integrity, Nelson Mandela was indeed a self-actualized man who discovered his purpose earlier in life and was ready to sacrifice even his life for the fulfilmentof his God-given destiny. 

This can be inferred in his thought-provoking and purpose-driven statement when he said: 

I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. 

 I have cherished the ideal of a free and democratic society in which all persons live together in harmony, and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. 

A man of spartan discipline and unwavering commitment to a cause, Nelson Mandela was a vocal critic of racial injustice and a vehement proponent of freedom and equal rights. In South Africa, he waged a relentless battle against the evil policy of apartheid which promoted the ideology of white-supremacy, a practice which treated the black as second-class citizens. Through sustained agitation, collaboration and loudest advocacy, he succeeded in dismantling a pernicious social structure that held sway in South Africa. 

  Although the struggle culminated in his arrest and incarceration in the Robben Island Prison for 27 years, he was however released in 1990 where he embarked on a national reconciliation tour in South Africa. In 1994, he was elected as the first ever black president of South Africa where he reintegrated South Africa to the global community. Today, South Africa is free courtesy of a single vision of a single man. 

Indeed, Mandela’s struggle for freedom remains a seminal contribution that has continued to inspire a host of left-wing political and social revolutionaries across the globe. 

But truth be told, most African leaders today, unlike Mandela,seem to be enmeshed in ignoble acts of self-aggrandizement, craze opportunism, high-handedness, ethnicity, nepotism and financial misappropriation without any sense of patriotism and consideration for the plight of the masses. Even in South Africa, the legacies of Mandela seem to be overshadowed by frequent xenophobic attacks and other forms of gangsterism in the country. 

This is not the way to replicate the legacies of Nelson Mandela. Therefore, as people all over the world join to celebrate the contributions of this enigma, it has to be said that the best way to remember him is to engage in noble ventures that will enhance the living standard of others and foster peace and development across the globe. 

In line with the theme of this year’s celebration; Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are, it is high time that people started to dream beyond the narrow confines of their individualistic well-being to the broader spectrum of humanity.

To mark this day, therefore, people should visit hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps and prison custody to give the inmates a sense of belonging. Lending a helping hand to the poor around us, donating for charity, granting scholarship to the indigent students, and speaking up against injustice anywhere will also be a wise way of celebrating this day. 

And like Paul the Apostle, Nelson Mandela had fought a good fight; he had finished his cause, and he had shone the light. 

As he took a bow from the global stage, the baton has now been passed to the succeeding generations not only to replicate his legacies, but also to sustain his aspiration for a free, democratic and peaceful world for all. 

Imadu Imadu Jr writes from Uyo

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