Nelson Mandela: Freedom Fighter

Without justice there is no peace.

Without peace there is no progress. 

Without progress there is no prosperity. 

In the history of mankind there are times when a light of hope emerges from the darkness to brighten the masses. Such is the story of Nobel peace prize winner and first democratically elected president of South Africa: Nelson Mandela, a true iconic yet indisputable figure in current time. He has struggled most of his fertile time for the benefit of humanity and did this by fighting the apartheid in South Africa for which he was imprisoned for 27 years in isolated Robben ( literal meaning Seal in dutch) island. It  is to be noted that this island has been used for isolation of prisoners from 17th century. Because of connection with Mandela, now this prison has been designated as world heritage site.

Nelson Mandela (Photo: Kjetil Ree )

 Though there is saying that all people are equal but in practice that is not true. People are treated based on their religion, color, race, nationality and  economic status and so on. The situation goes bad when the parent like institution government unfairly treats it people using its power. Such had happened in modern times- 20th century when the white dominated government introduced laws to segregate the people based on color of skin (racial group) making them superior group among other groups. Separated spaces  were allocated in every aspects of life: housing, public spaces and even education. It was even illegal to marry with other group. Draconian laws were especially targeted against the majority black people who were the right owner of nation. White people have emigrated there in search of opportunity in colonial times. They were treated as second class citizen in their own country. Such a heinous act cannot be tolerated by a people of good heart. Many people marched against the apartheid and struggled for making the justful society. Nelson Mandela was prominent figure in this struggle. Born in 18 July 1918, he studied in Wats University. He was politically affiliated to African National Congress ANC, established in 1912. After the Sharpville massacre, in which peaceful 69 anti-apartheid  protesters were killed by government, Nelson Mandela and other  leaders turned to violence to end the unjust of apartheid. He was caught in this process in 1961 and  sent to solitary prison to be released only in 1990. 
     Many nations including Nepal supported Mandela and his cause. South Africa was boycotted internationally and many nations refused to recognize the country. Nepal was one of the nations to raise the voice in international arena. Nepal made diplomatic relation to South Africa only after the end of apartheid and on the same day as Nelson became president (10th May 1994). Nepal has opened its embassy in Pretoria in 2010 after the increased relationship.
     Many people around the world regard him a true statesman as once he became the president of South Africa he tried to make reconciliatory approach with all sections of society including the tyranny group of White people to make a new path of freedom. The truth and reconciliation commission is highly regarded model of transition to conflict torn society. He did not show any lust of power as he refused to held office for second term. In his untiring fight for the inalienable human rights of people United Nations declare the International Mandela day since 2009 (on his 90th birthday). This year theme on his 94th birthday is "Take Action, Inspire Change: Make Every Day a Mandela Day.” Lets come together in this noble cause.