Latest news with #Mandela
Daily Maverick
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Revisiting Nelson Mandela's many journeys in leadership (Part one)
Nelson Mandela's life was one with multiple implications. His life conditions changed, and he altered as a human being at various phases of his life. He spoke of undergoing a series of journeys. Part one of a five-part series on Nelson Mandela's leadership. Celebrated as Nelson Mandela is, his life and its interpretation have evoked much controversy. It is a good antidote to confront and engage with the controversies, and not treat the meanings of Mandela's life as being 'obvious' or make references to his being a global 'icon' as if that constitutes an evaluation. If we are to learn from Mandela, we need to engage with what he did, how he exercised leadership and what considerations he had in mind. This series of articles, comprising revised versions of earlier academic and media articles, attempts to address and interpret some of these qualities. It is not suggested that this is the last word on the subject. I hope that many others will engage and take the debate further. Leaders need to act in the present but with some sense of the future One of the features of being a leader, especially one who is a freedom fighter, is that one acts in the present, but needs to bear some sense of what the future holds. This is in order to be ready to advance the cause of freedom under conditions that may differ significantly at different times. This means analysing forces at work in order to assess what may change or could lead to change. It requires both firmness on principle and flexibility in executing principles. This type of leadership is not easy and is often lonely. Much celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela and a great deal of commentary works with a notion of obviousness, that what Mandela represented had a self-evident meaning, simply waiting to be discovered. This sense of obviousness is often covered by a series of adjectives that tell us little apart from his being a great person or simply by referring to Mandela (and many other leaders of the Struggle) as an 'icon'. This is laziness, insofar as understanding a leader like Mandela means that we have to grapple with often controversial problems and complexities in his life. The meanings of Mandela's life constantly changed Alternatively, there is a reference to Mandela's legacy in the singular as opposed to the range of legacies we need to interrogate. Mandela's life has meanings politically, in relation to gender, questions of legality, violence and non-violence, leadership, ethics and many other questions. There is reference to The Meaning of Mandela, 'meaning' in the singular, in a book published by HSRC Press in 2006. This is even more of a problem than treating his legacies in the singular, because it implies that what we understand Mandela or his life to mean is incontrovertible and beyond debate. But if we examine the contours of his life sufficiently carefully we find complexities and a multifaceted human being. Indeed, among the formidable authors assembled in The Meaning of Mandela, Henry Louis Gates, Wole Soyinka and Cornel West, being the scholars they are, do not pretend to speak of a singular meaning, but of a life with multiple implications. Nelson Mandela's life conditions changed, and he altered as a human being at various phases of his life. Mandela spoke of undergoing a series of journeys. This is indicated by the titles of his books: No Easy Walk to Freedom (derived from Jawaharlal Nehru), Long Walk to Freedom and recently Dare Not Linger (published posthumously by Mandla Langa, Macmillan, London 2017). There is another problem with the book The Meaning of Mandela. The dedication reads as follows: 'To Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela — for the gift of freedom.' This statement comprises a series of barriers to understanding the 'meaning' or meanings of Mandela. In the first place, Mandela did not see freedom as achieved by any one action or on any one day. Hence the title of the book Dare Not Linger refers to reaching a particular destination, but despite it representing a milestone in the achievement of freedom, it remains elusive and requires further walks and journeys. Hence, he writes, in Long Walk to Freedom, quoted in the later book: 'I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb… I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.' In each of these works Mandela engages with the Struggle for freedom as an ongoing journey. Mandela did not 'give' us our freedom But there is another problem with this dedication. As gigantic a figure as Mandela was, he would never claim — and it would have been wrong for him to have said — that he 'gave' us our freedom. The freedom that was achieved in Mandela's later life was a product of many struggles of very many people. It was through the efforts of those who died and suffered and sacrificed in many ways, including Mandela himself, that his release (and that of other political prisoners) from prison was secured, and democratic elections were ultimately achieved. Mandela played a central role in many, but not all of, the struggles during his lifetime, and in every struggle in which he was a key figure he also depended on the power and support and actions of the many men and women who backed or were involved in advancing the cause of freedom. But, as Mandela recognised, there was much more to be done in order to broaden and deepen the quality of the freedom that had been achieved in 1994. Having stressed the complexity of Mandela's life and the diverse meanings that this signified, let us consider some features that illustrate the multiple meanings and changing character of his personal and political qualities. Mandela was a changing human being over the course of his life Mandela as a human being, like many of us, did not comprise a one-dimensional persona. He possessed more than one identity, some being displaced over time, some coexisting with one another and remnants of earlier identities re-emerging over time. In his 1962 court case, challenging the jurisdiction of a white magistrate to try him, he wore Thembu attire. Even though he became an African nationalist and a believer in non-racialism, he retained his Thembu identity throughout his life, and recent evidence suggests he may also have been a communist. He also placed a lot of weight on his identity as a lawyer. Mandela changed a lot, became a different person in various periods of his life, sometimes through his own choice and sometimes as a result of conditions he encountered — for example, the demands of imprisonment or being a soldier, and later of being a leader of the country. As a young man, Mandela recalls that he was not born with a 'hunger to be free'. Growing up in a relatively sheltered existence in the home of the regent of the Thembu people, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, Mandela believed he enjoyed all the freedom that he desired. When he arrived in the Witwatersrand at the age of 23, he directly confronted the racism and humiliation that apartheid entailed, and any illusions of being free were dispelled. Although Mandela came under the influence of his great mentor, Walter Sisulu, and is credited with being one of the founders of the ANC Youth League, he was then fairly politically undeveloped compared with other leaders like Anton Lembede, Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and AP Mda. But he was guided by Sisulu and people like the communist Michael Harmel, who gave him a reading list. Characteristically, Mandela applied himself with dedication and although he was initially a somewhat extreme Africanist, known for breaking up meetings of the Indian Congress and communists, he mellowed and in the 1950s became one of the leading figures advancing the multiracial and non-racial Freedom Charter. Difficult decisions The journeys of Mandela's life are not only marked by various forms of struggle that he engaged in, but a range of difficult decisions he had to make along the way, and how he changed in the course of deciding on and executing the required actions while experiencing conditions of relative freedom and varying degrees of constraint. Mandela went to prison as the first commander of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) and emerged as a man of peace — and almost everything he did was in service of that objective. In prison he had analysed the situation inside the country and concluded that there was a stalemate between the apartheid regime and the forces of liberation. The apartheid regime could not simply suppress the resistance it faced. At the same time the forces of liberation did not encounter a military force that could be defeated on the battlefield. This was a situation where a negotiated solution could be achieved. Mandela set about trying to create conditions for talks between the ANC and the apartheid regime. It is easy to assume this was his decision alone, especially in these times, (where many are 'debunking mythology' around Mandela in South Africa). But was it really entirely on his own? Yes, he candidly admits, his negotiation initiative was without a mandate, running against the principle of collective decision-making in the ANC. But Mandela believed that had he not acted when the opportunity arose, it would have been lost. It raises important questions about the individual responsibility of a leader, and whether or not collectivism ought to be absolutised. Mandela's interventions, interestingly, happened at the same time that the exiled leadership was sending out its own feelers to the regime, leading to the opening of negotiations that ultimately paved the way for democratic elections. The question of compromise In the eyes of some, Mandela is credited with messianic qualities, but for others he compromised the Struggle and was a 'sellout'. The character of the settlement cannot be discussed in this brief space, but what needs to be asked is whether being a freedom fighter signifies that one never compromises? Or if one can compromise, when will it be justified? The notion of 'no compromise' can only exist in discussions far away from real political conditions where lives are being lost. Compromises are justified and indeed necessary when they can lead to a result that advances the cause of freedom and/or when these reduce bloodshed and can lead to peace, one of the preconditions for freedom. Mandela, acting with others, saw the opportunity for ending warfare and securing democratic elections. At that time, I was in the ANC leadership, emerging from the internal forces and taken by surprise by the negotiation initiative, and trying to catch up. Even if that was successful in realising a democratic outcome, people in MK and most members in the country were preparing for a different process, and they were insufficiently briefed about the negotiations displacing insurrection. I was one of those battling to make sense of what was happening. But I came to believe, despite our uneven understandings, that the process may have been the only route to democratic freedom (whatever has happened subsequently to mar that freedom.) In my view, having come — I believe — to understand more, history will vindicate Mandela's choices and actions, the risks he took to act on his own, and as part of the ANC and tripartite alliance leadership collective. DM Raymond Suttner served 11 years in prison and house arrest. He was in the UDF, ANC and SACP leadership until the Jacob Zuma era. Suttner worked closely with Mandela in the 1990s. He is currently an emeritus professor at Unisa.
Arab Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day 2025: South African Mission in the State of Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, July 29: The South African Embassy in the State of Kuwait successfully commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on 20 July 2025 with a meaningful visit to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) women's shelter in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area, which supports expatriate workers facing legal or employment-related challenges. Led by Ms. Busisiwe Mpungose, Acting Head of Mission, the visit was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), specifically the Human Rights and Africa Affairs Departments, and PAM, reflecting Mandela's enduring values of kindness, care, and humanity. The event honoured Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on July 18. The Embassy staff was warmly received by officials from MoFA's Human Rights Department and representatives of PAM. During the tour, Ms Mpungose and Embassy staff were briefed on intake procedures and the operational roles of the various governmental institutions supporting the shelter. The delegation observed the wide range of services provided to residents, including legal aid, healthcare, psychological counselling, and social support. PAM officials shared insightful information about the shelter's residents and responded to questions from Ms. Mpungose and Embassy staff. In a spirit of engagement and solidarity, the South African Embassy dedicated 67 minutes, in tribute to Mandela Day, to acts of positivity and social support, including interactive activities with the residents, such as arts and crafts, indoor billiards, and outdoor volleyball, all aimed at promoting unity and well-being of the residents. As part of the initiative, the Embassy generously also donated clothing items to the shelter to help meet the needs of the residents. Ms Mpungose commended the Government of the State of Kuwait for its ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and reaffirmed South Africa's dedication to advancing Mandela's legacy of service and humanity. She concluded by extending warm wishes to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and continued peace and prosperity to the State of Kuwait. Ms Mpungose and the Embassy staff expressed their sincere admiration for the shelter's resolute staff and their commitment to providing protection, care, and legal support to vulnerable women. The Mission extended heartfelt thanks to PAM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all staff involved for their hospitality and tireless efforts in upholding the values of human dignity and compassion. History Of The Nelson Mandela International Day and the 67 Minutes Nelson Mandela International Day was officially declared by the United Nations on November 10, 2009, recognising Nelson Mandel's extraordinary contribution to peace, freedom, and human rights. The day is celebrated annually on July 18th, Mandela's birthday. This day encourages people around the world to honour Mandela's legacy by taking action to improve their communities an promote social justice. The concept of 67 minutes symbolically represents the 67 years of Nelson Mandela's life dedicated for fighting for equality, social justice and human rights. On Mandela Day, individuals are expected to spend at least 67 minutes doing something positive for others, reflecting Mandela's lifelong dedication to making the world a better place.
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Come on poepols, let's get SA working
Letters to the Editor. Image: Supplied Mandela foundation hijacked by radicals I am deeply troubled by the Nelson Mandela Foundation's (NMF) recent launch of the 'Solidarity in Action Awards,' which explicitly invites proposals to challenge Christian Zionism – a move that many South African faith communities are viewing as an attack on religious freedom. Christian Zionism, supported by nearly 50% of South Africa's Christian population, is rooted in biblical belief and a peaceful vision for Israel and Palestine coexisting. Yet this new initiative by the NMF seeks to delegitimise that belief, vilifying a theology that millions of South Africans hold dear. The NMF has clearly been hijacked by radicals with political agendas and it is no coincidence that it has been steered in this horrific ideological direction following the recent appointment of Naledi Pandor as its chairperson. Pandor has demonstrated profound hostility towards Israel and is notoriously known to have friendly relations with Hamas, a designated terrorist group that has been actively pursuing genocide against the LGBTQ+ community, Christians, Israelis and Jews since its cannot ignore the role she is playing in the growing trend of the silencing of Christian voices, especially those who support Israel. At a time when Christians across Africa face violent persecution, it is disheartening to see South African institutions promote narratives that distort biblical truth and undermine is not colonialism. Support for Israel is not extremism. It is time for the Foundation to return to Mandela's principles of inclusion and dialogue. | Daniel Jacobi Executive Director of the South African Friends of Israel Come on poepols, let's get SA working Let's take a step back and see where we are. The GNU is a year old; it is time for its gender reveal party. The nappies must come off now. It can stop crawling and take its first strides into finding real-life plans to get the country working again. What should we do? If there is to be a national dialogue, what should we be talking about? How should it be said? Who should be having it? Let's start with what we all agree on. Turns out South Africans concur on the important issues: Employment should be our first priority, followed by safety. Race should not be a policy priority. Most South Africans don't want BEE to continue being enforced.(Sources: IRR, SRF, and Ipsos polls and research). By all accounts and surveys, the indications are that while we are a country of many cultures and colours, we share a largely conservative and family-oriented approach to life. We are concerned about the same things – jobs and safety, bread and butter issues remain at the top of our minds. These are potent sentiments our political leaders, elite, and thought instigators should take note of. It means we don't have to harp on and on about race, no matter how much fun it is and how the righteous indignation feels so good. We don't have to take the people in the red berets, nor the bearded groups in deep khaki, or the suited government officials seriously when they start banging their fists on about race. These are foolish actions by foolish people, and we can tell them that. We can go: 'Oi, mampara! Move it along. How are you going to create more jobs for more people and more economic growth for the country?' (Did you know, other words for 'fool' in South Arica are mampara, isiphukuphuku, moegoe, poepol, or leoatla.) Don't be afraid to use these words when addressing the government or the elite. Shake your head, feel the word softly, but say it out loud. Allow yourself to think the thought, then say the word then do a deed that shows your feelings. As ordinary South Africans, we need our voices to be heard, not only at the voting stations but all the time. It is not an expression of hate or revolution; it is a course correction. It is an 'aikona' spoken politely but firmly. We must learn how to be more persuasive with our top classes. Remember what we did with e-tolls? We just refused to pay. OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) showed us the facts and how to say: 'No.' There was no violence, and there were no riots, but our voices shouted so loudly it broke the system. We did it again with the recent VAT increase. Absolutely, some opposition parties objected to the increase, and there was much political posturing, but that was a hasty reaction to a mighty rumbling in the population. That energy of collective discontent amongst all groups gathered speed and became a wind of change, invisible, but powerful. We did that by twittering and tweeting and complaining and cautioning. The results were politicians scurrying in the whirlwind and doing their jobs for once. We did that. We know how to do did loadshedding stop so suddenly, after years of our torment? The political will brought about by tear of political consequence on the part of the ANC played a big part. The nation's shared outrage at having their families disrupted during basic tasks like preparing your children for school or their businesses damaged because of the government's lack of maintenance became the most pressure you can put on a government. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading We called their bluff because they knew what would happen at the voting booths if they didn't fix it. No revolt, just small ripples of voices becoming a tsunami of resolute anger: 'Fix this or lose at the polls.' I did interviews across various spheres of our society at the time and while people used different words, they all said the same thing. A businessman in Sandton would say of the electricity crisis: 'The rampant corruption and mismanagement at Eskom is exacerbating the situation. We might also be over-reliant on coal. We need our government to step in, or it will be a disaster for the ANC the next time people vote.' I spoke to a security guard in the checkout queue of a supermarket in Bloubergstrand. He phrased it thus, while rubbing his stomach: 'It is not because the coal is wet, it is because they (the government) are eating that money. They will eat and eat until we say: 'Aikona!' We will open their eyes. You will see that coal will suddenly be dry before the elections.' These are the narratives our media outlets should be publishing. Our nation has a collective intelligence that is smart and calculated and often homogenous. Governments listen when the people figure out how to talk to them. We need think tanks, lobby groups, and media companies that publish the stories of our sameness and our aspirations more clearly. The government should hear that South Africans are more united than we are being led to believe. We are united enough. What we need now is economic growth. We need a Government of National Economic Growth. A GNEG. This is how the nappies come off. The populace in turn must learn how to demand more course corrections. We must stamp our feet for fewer restrictions on trade, whether that comes in the form of BEE or registration of spaza shops. We can tell the government that their plan for BEE was a valid idea, but it had unintended consequences. The people won't tolerate it anymore: like e-tolls, the VAT increase, and load-shedding. Bad laws can simply 'now. The R290 billion a year it costs us to enforce BEE policy can be applied where it matters – fixing infrastructure and creating a stable economy. We must focus on publishing stories of our sameness and our common goals. The real national dialogue is already happening on the street level, amongst real people who understand its real-life consequences. Put that online, in print and on radio. The race-baiting has gone on long enough. Stop it! Aikona! Come on poepols, let's get this country working. | Vivienne Vermaak Free Market Foundation Donald Trump holds the world hostage While Hamas, hangs on for dear life to the 20+ hostages they still hold, fully realising that the treacherous Tel Aviv terrorists would immediately push the total annihilation button and send what's left of the two million citizens into instant martyrdom as soon as these hostages are released, the world conveniently forgets about another living organism that is being held as a giant hostage. This huge hostage is all the countries of the world except the US. And, of course, the one that has captured the major part of the planet as perpetual hostage is the madman, US President Donald Trump. Demanding extraordinary hefty payments in hectically high ransom figures as trade tariffs is but one of his one-sided bargaining weapons. He has a whole Pandora's Box of others in his golf kit bag: Sanctions placed if any country wishes to join BRICS for instance: Amputate diplomatic ties; jump off helping to fund UNESCO and other UN humanitarian organisations; demolish the UN building in New York; deport and excommunicate naturalised US citizens that originate from 'erring' countries; restrict visas to 'enemy' governments; refuse loans and subsidies to African countries. And another few thousand openly and clearly-worded ransom notes that seem to be conjured every weekend in the heartless head of this mammoth megalomaniac. Meantime , the other cheek of the same bum – Netanyahu – continues to use the most flimsy excuse of heavily clichéd single-track monologues that go ad-nauseam: 'Remember October 7; dismembered babies; the Holocaust; remember Hamas?And so Israel continues with it's mission statement; of demolishing each and every trace of what Gaza once was; to grind and bury the bones of every Palestinian, man woman, child and foetus into the rubble, the very minute after the last hostage living or dead is released. Then they can themselves and their like-minded allies in Washington and Tel Aviv can help themselves to the wealth of gas buried off Gaza in the Mediterranean. | Ebrahim Essa Durban DAILY NEWS
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Community and schools clean-up day
Purpose Recycling is preparing to host its Mandela Month School Recycling Awareness Campaign and Clean-up Day at Don Mateman Hall in Eldorado Park on July 31. This will be a unique Mandela month celebration, focused on environmental health and conservation. It is set to take place from 09:00 to 15:00. The keynote address is expected to be delivered by the Gauteng MEC for Environment, Ewan Botha. Community members and children will learn how to combat waste and pollution. They will also learn the value of recycling and environmental conservation from various stakeholders like Polyco and EWA SA Metpac.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Embassy of S Africa marks Mandela Day with message of unity
KUWAIT: The South African Embassy in Kuwait commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day with a special visit to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) women's shelter in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. Led by Acting Head of Mission Busisiwe Mpungose, the embassy team dedicated 67 minutes, reflecting Mandela's 67 years of public service to engaging with the shelter's residents through various sports and recreational activities. These included indoor billiards and outdoor volleyball, designed to promote teamwork, unity, and well-being among the women. During her remarks, Acting head of mission at the South African Embassy to Kuwait, Busisiwe Mpungose paid tribute to Nelson Mandela's legacy, calling on all to take action, inspire change, and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. She added: 'It is truly an honor for us at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa to be here with you today,' the Ambassador began, acknowledging the significance of the day and its alignment with the enduring values championed by the late President Mandela. Quoting Mandela's powerful words—'It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized'—the ambassador underscored the relevance of the message in today's global context. 'This message is more relevant than ever,' she noted, 'reminding us that the responsibility to create more than just a better world lies within each of us.' The ambassador extended sincere gratitude to the Kuwaiti government and its institutions for their steadfast support and humanitarian efforts. She praised their work with local shelters and their commitment to empowering vulnerable individuals during difficult times, calling their dedication 'a true reflection of Madiba's vision.' Speaking directly to those residing in shelters, the ambassador offered words of encouragement: 'Your strength and determination have kept you going. We stand here to encourage you to remain hopeful for the brighter days ahead.' She went on to emphasize that Mandela Day is not merely about remembering a historic figure, but about embodying his values of unity, compassion, and service to others. 'Whether it's supporting a local charity, helping those affected by disaster, or simply showing kindness in our daily lives—every small action contributes to building a better world,' she said. The ambassador conveyed well-wishes for good health and continued success to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, along with hopes for enduring peace and prosperity for the Kuwaiti nation. During the visit, the delegation also received briefings on the shelter's important services such as legal aid, healthcare, and psychological support. To further assist the residents, the embassy generously donated clothing. Mpungose expressed deep admiration for the shelter staff's commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable women and extended sincere thanks to PAM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their collaboration and hospitality. The visit underscored the Embassy's dedication to Mandela's values of kindness, care, and community empowerment.
