The national hero of South Africa would be 100 years old today

The South African national hero would have today 100 years

JOHANNESBURG. Nelson Mandela is regarded throughout the world as a protagonist of the nonviolent end of apartheid and reconciliation.

Former US President Barack Obama has greeted Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Image: AFP

A religious figure was not Nelson Mandela. And yet, he is often revered as an "icon". Today, "Madiba", as her clan name, celebrated her 100th birthday. Born in 1918 in a village in Transkei (South Africa), he had a childhood in love with nature as a shepherd. Because her teacher did not want to understand the name of Xhosa Rolihlahla ("troublemaker"), she called him "Nelson".

At the age of 21, he enrolled as a law student at Fort Hare University College in Alice. soon opposed to the white minority regime and finally joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944. Sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and treason in 1964, he became the 46664 "most famous detainee of the world" at Robben Island in Cape Town for 27 years.

Four years after his triumphal liberation in 1990, the protagonist became a non-violent end to apartheid and for reconciliation the first black president of south africa. In 1993, he and his predecessor Frederik de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the turn of the millennium, Mandela retired from active politics.

His last public appearance was in fact the closing ceremony of the 2010 Football World Cup. But in April 2013, a TV report triggered protests. She portrays apathetic terminally ill in the midst of self-proclaimed political heirs

Playful Confidence Loss

Mandela procured in South Africa an act of faith in the world, lost by Thabo's successors Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. The economic link with the countries of the North – and most blacks with the middle clbad – has failed. The violence, corruption, discrimination and emigration of the former white ruling clbad are just a few examples of the growing problems of a nation that many already viewed as a model of success for any country. 39; Africa. Cyril Ramaphosa, 65, has been in charge since February, Mandela's adopted political son.

Ramaposa should use today the "Mandela Day" which is celebrated throughout the country with volunteerism, not just as the true legacy of Madiba. stylize. The country urgently needs the starting spirit of the 1990s. Incidentally, Mandela's fight against discrimination should not only continue in South Africa, said former US President Barack Obama yesterday. in Johannesburg. (eku)

"Mandela: the long road to freedom", today, 8:15 pm, ORF 1; Report "South Africa – the end of a dream", 22:30, in the WELTjournal, ORF 2; after WORLDJournal +: "Nelson Mandela – A life for freedom"

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