Global call to fight poverty and injustice on Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday
Zoe DrewettWednesday 18 Jul 2018 7:02 am
Nelson Mandela remains a 20th century icon as a champion of human rights, political activism, equality and peace.
On what would have been his 100th birthday today, people across the world are celebrating his legacy and calling for leaders to do more to tackle global injustice and poverty.
In 1962, Mandela was arrested for his activism against South Africa's racist apartheid system.
Nelson Mandela spoke to more than 100,000 supporters in Soweto two days after his release from prison in Cape Town saying 'during the past 27 years I have looked forward to this day when I would come back to the area I regard as home, to meet my brothers and sisters and grandchildren' (Picture: Getty)
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the apartheid state and served 27 years behind bars, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison.
Amid growing domestic and international pressure – as well as increased fears of a racial civil war – then-president FW de Klerk released him in 1990.
Three years after his release, he became the first black president of South Africa and went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Five years after his death in 2013, he continues to provide inspiration in the face of adversity and injustice.
ANC president Nelson Mandela surrounded by young supporters after addressing residents at Phola Park, a squatter settlement east of Johannesburg, in May 1992 (Picture: Getty)
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Mandelas visit to Boston, his first to the US after being released from prison in 1990 (Picture: Getty)
Mandela claps his hands after American pop-icon Michael Jackson was given a lifetime achievement award during the Kora All Africa music awards in Johannesburg in 1999. (Picture: AFP/Getty)
ANC President Nelson Mandela and an unidentified singer dance for freedom at a rally upon his arrival to Glasgow, Scotland in 2009 (Picture: PA/AFP/Getty)
Mandela met the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2003, to mark the centenary of the Rhodes Trust which provides scholarships for students around the world to study at Oxford University (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Paying tribute in an impassioned speech to mark the 100th anniversary, former US president Barack Obama told a cheering crowd of thousands in South Africa to keep alive the ideas that Mandela worked for including democracy, diversity and tolerance.
He said: 'I believe in Nelson Mandela's vision. I believe in a vision shared by Gandhi and [Martin Luther] King and Abraham Lincoln.
'I believe in a vision… built on the premise that all people are created equal and they're endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also paid tribute to the former South African leader in a visit to an exhibition about Mandela's life in London.
Harry and Meghan's attention was well received by those who knew Mandela well.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the launch of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition on July 17, 2018 (Picture: AP)
Mandela returns home to Soweto after 27 years in prison on February 1, 1990. (Picture: Getty)
Just two weeks away from being elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela visits the rural Xhosa villages where he grew up (Picture: Getty)
Nelson Mandela and his wife anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie raise fists upon Mandela's release from Victor Verster prison on February 11, 1990 (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Former US President Bill Clinton poses with former South African President Nelson Mandela on the eve of his 94th birthday (Picture: Getty)
Mandela shakes hands with then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the steps of No 10 Downing Street on a visit to the UK after his prison release (Picture: AFP/Getty)
England captain David Beckham awards former South African President Nelson Mandela his own England Jersey in 2003 at the Nelson Mandela Foundation (Picture: Getty)
Mandela tries a Native American pipe given to him as a gift after he spoke at a fundraiser for the Minneapolis Chapter of the National Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 2000 (Picture: AFP)
Mandela giving a speech before the African Congress before he was put in prison (Picture: Getty)
Nelson Mandela Inspirational Quotes
'Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.'
'Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated and passionate about what they do.'
'Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.'
'I am not a saint unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.'
'Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.'
'It always seems impossible until it's done.'
'I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.'
Mandela's former Robben Island prison-mate Andrew Mlangeni, 93, said their visit shows the monarchy supported the anti-apartheid 'struggle for freedom'.
'When I shook their hands I said for the whole month I'm not going to wash my hand – I never thought I would meet royalty,' Mr Mlangeni said.
It has been a century since South Africa's first democratically-elected president was born but contemporary South Africa still struggles with race challenges.
A ceremony will take place in Johannesburg to honour his vision for democracy and social inclusion later today.
But outside South Africa, people across the world have taken to Twitter to mark #MandelaDay – an initiative launched by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to celebrate his legacy with a global call to take action against poverty.
"I'm an ordinary human being with weaknesses," President Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/T0eOufeizb
— Fikile (Mr Fearfokkol) (@MbalulaFikile) July 17, 2018
Nelson Mandela fought for fairness in the world. He spoke out for those that didn't have a voice and stood against the oppression of others, even when it cost him his freedom.
Tribute to legend..tribute to voice of millions.#NelsonMandela100
— Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) July 18, 2018
Before Nelson Mandela left prison he said "As I stand before the door to my freedom, I realise that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me , I will still be in prison".
How many of us have imprisoned ourselves inside the walls of anger and bitterness.
— Okegbemi Olusoji Festus (@lusurgy) July 17, 2018
Nelson MandelaSouth Africa
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