Nelson Mandala was one of the most remarkable personalities of the 20th Century. Born in an era of racial segregation and oppression in South Africa, in the village of Mvezo, Transkei on July 18, 1919, his parents named him Rolihlahla Mandela meaning ‘troublemaker’. He was the first person in his family, who went for an English education, where his British teacher gave him the name Nelson.
Nelson Mandela was an extraordinary global advocate for dignity and equality. He exemplified courage, compassion and commitment to freedom, peace and social justice. I am not exactly his follower, but I am inspired by his work and actions for ensuring justice and dignity of the South African people.
I still remember the cold evening of February 11, 1990. I was having dinner with my family in my village in north India. My grandfather, who was a big fan of Mandela, asked my father to tune in to the BBC Hindi news, which was the only available and trusted news for us. We used to follow the news on BBC Hindi religiously. That was the first time we heard the news of his release from prison. It was a happy moment for our family; everyone cheered for Mandela and the end of apartheid laws. Since then, I have become a student of Mandela.
After the election in 1994, Mandela took charge as the President of South Africa. One of the most historic steps he had taken was the establishment of the “Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)”. The TRC was a court-like restorative justice body assembled in South Africa after the end of apartheid. Witnesses who were identified as victims of gross human rights violations were invited to give statements about their experiences, and some were selected for public hearings.
He became one of the most respected leaders in the world. He had a strong connection with India; Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence inspired him. India, as a nation, supported the struggle of freedom led by Mandela.
Last October, I visited South Africa and got the chance to see the situation of the farm workers. Their appalling working conditions upset me. There are still unequal land distributions among the people, with most of the lands belonging to the white community. I interacted with one of the farm workers, and his situation was similar to a bondage labourer. The owner of the farm had given a one-room house to him near the field, for all his family. He worked in the pear farms, and even though he had many skills; he was confined to the life of a labourer with no option for mobility or exploring life outside.
This made me wonder if South Africa has really come that far in realising Mandela’s dreams.